Compassion fatigue and the meaning in life as predictors of secondary traumatic stress in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to investigate the relationship among secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and meaning in life in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.BackgroundChanges in working conditions during the pandemic also changed the needs of nurses. In addition to physical health, the COVID-19 pandemic led to many psychosocial health problems such as sleep disturbances, depression, and traumatic stress. This makes nurses vulnerable to psychological side effects of the pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted.MethodsThis study was conducted with 166 nurses. Data were collected online at May-June 2021. A Personal Information Form, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Compassion Fatigue Scale, and Meaning in Life Scale were used. The STROBE reporting checklist was followed.ResultsAs secondary traumatic stress levels increase, compassion fatigue increases, meaning in life decreases, and the search for meaning in life increases.ConclusionPredictors of secondary traumatic stress were shown to be compassion fatigue, change in sleep habits, meaning in life, marital status, and having a chronic illness. This suggested that working during the pandemic posed significant risks in terms of manifesting negative consequences on mental health in the long term. What is already known about this topic? Nurses often face stressful situations such as personal life challenges, the nature of the job that requires focus, and patient care. Nurses are exposed to the detrimental psychological effects of the pandemic because they are among the first medical professionals to meet COVID-19 infected individuals. The pandemic has created many positive and negative effects on nurses.What this paper adds? This study reports that the mental health of nurses should be protected and strengthened by identifying the psychosocial health problems experienced by nurses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings inform on choice of effective interventions to protect the mental health of nurses.The implications of this paper: Failure to manage global crisis such as pandemics will cause traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, decreased meaning in life, and burnout in nurses. In order to protect nurses from the long-term negative effects of pandemics, necessary programmes should be developed to strengthen their mental, physical, and spiritual health, to support their personal life habits and to improve their working conditions. Protective interventions, such as assessment and monitoring of nurses' mental health, can support strengthened crisis management practices. Preventive interventions and programmes based on individual needs should be implemented in order to improve nurses' ability to cope with difficult emotions.