Compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and coping strategies of mental health professionals

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of compassion fatigue (CF) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been studied with a predominant focus on medical care professionals, indicating a significant presence of STS and CF among them. The present study has identified a dearth in the representation of mental healthcare professionals (MHPs), grouped by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatry nurses, and psychiatric social workers within the Indian context.

Aim: To assess the degree of CF and STS and the subsequent coping mechanisms adopted by MHPs.

Materials and methods: This study followed a cross-sectional research design. There were 75 participants selected using purposive sampling and administered scales that measured CF, STS, and coping strategies adopted by the participants.

Results: There is a strong presence of CF in MHPs along with problem-focused coping as the preliminary approach to STS. Participants with average or higher scores in STS had higher intrusion scores. Higher STS scores tend to have avoidant coping styles in comparison to the larger sample. Female participants indicated higher levels of CF and STS than their male counterparts.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes on the immediate requirement to address and manage CF levels among the MHPs and focus on the factors that continue to aggravate STS.

Keywords: Compassion fatigue; coping strategies; mental health professionals; secondary traumatic stress.