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. 2024 May;60(4):772-783.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-024-01234-1. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

Exploring the Experiences of Compassion Fatigue Amongst Peer Support Workers in Homelessness Services

Bronwyn Leigh Steenekamp  1 , Stephanie L Barker  2
Affiliations

Exploring the Experiences of Compassion Fatigue Amongst Peer Support Workers in Homelessness Services

Bronwyn Leigh Steenekamp et al. Community Ment Health J. 2024 May.

Abstract

Peer support workers have lived experiences of the challenges their clients face. While research has shown peer work can benefit recovery, the negative consequences have not been clearly addressed. This study aimed to explore the experiences of compassion fatigue amongst peer support workers in homelessness services, and the coping strategies used. An explorative qualitative design was adopted. Six peer support workers, in homelessness services, were recruited via snowball sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: relentless nature of working in homelessness services, change, making meaning of past experiences, organisational support, and personal coping strategies. There were two novel findings: (1) multiple clients recounting traumatic experiences, and (2) being unfairly blamed for lack of progress, exacerbating compassion fatigue. The findings of this study furthers limited research on compassion fatigue and can be used to develop protocols and practices for organisations that utilise peer support.

Keywords: Compassion Fatigue; Coping Strategies; Homelessness; Organisational Support; Peer Support.

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Conflict of interest statement

SB declares a conflict of interest. SB is paid by the organisation where the participants were recruited. SB was not involved in the data collection process and communicated the voluntary nature of the research.

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