The relationships among factors affecting compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout in Japanese nurses: A cross-sectional study

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among factors affecting compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in Japanese nurses, focusing on self-compassion, fears of compassion, and attachment styles.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 400 clinical nurses (aged ≥20 years) in Japan, registered with an online survey company, from June 6 to June 26, 2021. The subjects completed a web-based questionnaire that assessed compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, burnout, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, fears of compassion for self, anxiety, and avoidance. Additionally, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis and path analysis were performed to examine the relationships among the influencing factors.

Results

Compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress was influenced by anxiety and fears of compassion for self (R² = .31). Burnout was affected by compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, anxiety, and avoidance (R² = .63). Compassion satisfaction was impacted by self-compassion, anxiety, and fears of compassion for self (R² = .31). Additionally, self-compassion (R² = .28) and fears of compassion for self (R² = .55) were influenced by anxiety and avoidance.

Conclusions

Compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress leads to burnout, whereas compassion satisfaction moderates burnout. Furthermore, there were associations among the factors leading to compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress and burnout and compassion satisfaction. Therefore, an approach that enhances self-compassion and promotes the development of a stable attachment style could mitigate compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress and fears of compassion for self while moderately maintaining and improving compassion satisfaction.