The Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Professional Self-Concept in Psychiatric Nurses

The current study examined the relationship between compassion fatigue and professional self-concept in psychiatric nurses. Participants included 156 nurses working in a mental health and disorders hospital in Turkey. Data were collected via a sociodemographics form, the Compassion Fatigue subscale of the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and Professional Self-Concept Scale. Participants exhibited low levels of compassion fatigue and high levels of professional self-concept. A significant negative relationship was found between participants’ mean compassion fatigue scores and mean professional satisfaction, professional competence, and professional self-concept scores (p < 0.05). Professional satisfaction, professional competence, and professional self-concept decreased with increasing compassion fatigue. Nurses should be provided emotional support through in-service training and effective communication to prevent burnout.