This study assessed psychological hardiness and compassion satisfaction among the Türk Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) personnel and volunteers involved in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Additionally, the relationship between compassion satisfaction and psychological hardiness was also investigated.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and July 2023. Participants completed an online survey, which included the Sociodemographic Information Form, Psychological Hardiness Scale, and Compassion Satisfaction Scale. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA), using a significance level of 95% and p < 0.05.

The study involved 400 participants, comprising 84 (21%) personnel and 316 (79%) volunteers. Participants exhibited an average psychological hardiness level of 24.56 ± 7.25 and a compassion satisfaction level of 47.40 ± 17.28. A significant positive correlation was observed between compassion satisfaction and psychological hardiness (r = 0.571; p < 0.001). The results of logistics regression have revealed that the level of psychological hardiness is higher in males compared to females (OR = 1.930, CI = 1.115 − 3.340; P < 0.05) and is also higher in those with high compassion satisfaction compared to those with low compassion satisfaction (OR = 1.386, CI = 1.256 − 1.529; p < 0.001).

The findings of this study indicate that individuals involved in disaster response should consider compassion satisfaction as an important tool for enhancing psychological hardiness.

Medical-psychological emergency units (Cellules d'Urgence Médico-Psychologiques, CUMP) are deployed following major events where there is a risk of psychological trauma, in order to provide acute and proper psychological care for the victims.

To describe and evaluate the risk of a psychological impact on CUMP professionals after their participation in the aftermath of the hurricane Irma natural disaster. CUMP teams consist of medical and paramedical staff, who can have permanent or volunteer status. We reasoned that there might be a psychological and emotional impact on CUMP professionals, despite their own expertise in the field, after their intervention following hurricane Irma.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted during a feedback meeting. Participating professionals completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale (5th French version), which is composed of three subscales: compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS).

A total of 53 participants were included with 24 (45.3%) psychiatrists, 15 (28.3%) paramedical staff and 14 (26.4%) psychologists. The median age was 46 years (range 39–55.5) and 29 (54.7%) were women. We found that psychiatrists compared with other professions had higher secondary traumatic stress scores (P = 0.007) and that volunteer psychiatrists had higher burnout scores than permanent psychiatrists (P = 0.03).

These preliminary results suggest a psychological impact attributable to leadership status, which was reserved for psychiatrists. The results also underline the need for a supportive accompaniment for such teams by promoting formation improvement, psychological support and team cohesion.

In the emotionally intense field of healthcare, the ability to peacefully inhabit one's body, maintain good boundaries, and be fully present during care is essential. This study aimed to validate the recently developed Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS) among hospice and healthcare professionals and develop a brief version of the 33-item MSCS.

A sample of hospice and healthcare professionals from all 50 states (n = 858) was used. A confirmatory factor analysis was run using a rigorous methodology for validation and item reduction to develop a brief version of the 33-item MSCS. The brief MSCS (B-MSCS) was developed by identifying items for exclusion through examination of conceptual overlap, descriptive statistics by detecting sources of improvement model fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Model modifications were done sequentially and with regard to theoretical considerations.

The existing model, 33-item MSCS with six subscales, had good fit to the data with all indicators in acceptable ranges (chi-square/df = 3.08, df (480), p < 0.01, root mean square error of approximation = 0.059, comparative fit index = 0.915, Tucker and Lewis's index of fit = 0.907). Nine items were excluded on the basis of very low loadings and conceptual and empirical overlap with other items.

The final 24-item, B-MSCS model was consistent with the original conceptual model and had a closer fit to the data (chi-square/df = 1.85, df (215), p < 0.01, root mean square error of approximation = 0.041, comparative fit index = 0.961, Tucker and Lewis's index of fit = 0.955). In addition, the reliability, construct, and concurrent validity of the MSCS and B-MSCS were in the acceptable and good ranges, respectively. Mean and standard deviation of the MSCS and B-MSCS scores were similar; B-MSCS mean scores well approximated the MSCS scores. Informal mindful self-care, in the process of everyday life, was practiced more regularly and associated with increased wellness and reduced burnout risk than formal mind-body practices.

Compassion fatigue (CF) is secondary traumatic distress experienced by providers from contact with patients' suffering. Burnout (BO) is job-related distress resulting from uncontrollable workplace factors that manifest in career dissatisfaction. Compassion satisfaction (CS) is emotional fulfillment derived from caring for others. The literature on BO in healthcare providers is extensive, whereas CF and CS have not been comprehensively studied. Because of ongoing exposure to patient and family distress, pediatric palliative care (PPC) providers may be at particular risk for CF. We conducted a cross-sectional pilot study of CF, BO, and CS among PPC providers across the United States.

The Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Self-Test for Helpers and a questionnaire of professional and personal characteristics were distributed electronically and anonymously to PPC physicians and nurses. Logistic and linear regression models for CF, BO, and CS as a function of potential risk factors were constructed.

The survey response rate was 39%, primarily consisting of female, Caucasian providers. The prevalence of CF, BO, and CS was 18%, 12%, and 25%, respectively. Distress about a “clinical situation,” physical exhaustion, and personal loss were identified as significant determinants of CF. Distress about “coworkers,” emotional depletion, social isolation, and “recent involvement in a clinical situation in which life-prolonging activities were not introduced” were significant determinants of BO. Physical exhaustion, personal history of trauma, “recent involvement in a clinical situation in which life-prolonging activities were not introduced,” and not discussing distressing issues were significant predictors of lower CS scores.

CF and BO directly influence the well-being and professional performance of PPC providers. To provide effective compassionate care to patients, PPC providers must be attentive to predictors of these phenomena. Further work is needed to explore additional causes of CF, BO, and CS in PPC providers as well as potential interventions.

Caring is a fundamental tenet of healthcare. Caring ‘too much’ can result in compassion fatigue syndrome and is often linked to burnout and low morale. The objective of this study was to examine compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout by investigating the relationship between levels of compassion (compassion satisfaction) and STS and burnout. The study also aimed to identify radiation therapist (RTTs) groups who may be at risk for developing (STS) and burnout. Finally, we investigated the level of social support that RTTs receive.

RTTs practicing across Canada were invited to participate in an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of: demographic information including health-related issues and occupational variables; the Professional Quality of Life Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Questionnaire (ProQOL-V) to assess the potential for compassion satisfaction and vulnerability for STS and burnout; and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to examine the level and sources of social support. A two-way ANOVA was performed to test the statistical significance between varying groups within the study population. A linear regression analysis using potential co-factors was used to test correlations between compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout and variables in age, education, years of experience and levels of caring to patients.

A total of 477 survey responses were received representing a 36% response rate. Results of the regression analyses generally indicate inverse correlations between the risks associated with compassion satisfaction, burnout and STS compared with the independent study variables of age, education, years of experience and levels of caring to patients. It was observed that responses were not linear within subgroups (age groups, education classifications, years of study).

RTTs practicing in Canada have a substantial social support network and demonstrate high levels of compassion satisfaction in their daily practice. The results of the study indicate that compassion levels are inversely correlated with burnout and compassion fatigue, although some groups may be at higher risk than others. A possible risk catalyst for compassion fatigue and burnout is associated with underdeveloped managerial workplace support programmes.