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Psychiatria Danubina, Vol. 27 No. suppl 1, 2015.

Conference paper

PSYCHIATRIC CAREGIVER STRESS: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF COMPASSION FATIGUE

Francesco Franza orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-2263-3699 ; Neuropsychiatric Centre “Villa dei Pini”, Avellino, Italy
Gianfranco Del Buono ; Division Psychiatry, "S. Giovanni di Dio and Ruggi D'Aragona Hospital, University Salerno, Salerno, Italy
Ferdinando Pellegrino ; Mental Health Department, Salerno, Italy

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Abstract

The capacity to work productively is a key component of health and emotional well-being. People who work in health care can be
exposed to the fatigue of care. Compassion fatigue has been described as an occupational hazard specific to clinical work related
severe emotional distress. In our study, we have evaluated compassion fatigue in a mental health group (47 psychiatric staff) and its
relationship with inpatients (237 inpatients) affected by some psychiatric disorders. At baseline, the more significant data indicate a
high percentage of Job Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in psychiatric nurses (respectively, 39.28%, 28.57%). Significant
Compassion Fatigue percentage is present also in psychologist group (36.36%). Finally, in psychiatrists, the exposure to patients
increased vicarious trauma (28.57%), but not job burnout. After a year of participation in Balint Groups, the psychiatric staff
presented an overall reduction in total mean score in any administered scale (CBI: p<0.0000045; sCFs: (Vicarious Trauma:
p<0.0288; Job Burnout: p<0.000001)). Thus, compassion fatigue causes concern among mental health professionals, and Balint
Groups may represent a therapeutic strategy to help health professionals to face difficulties in challenging work environments.

Keywords

compassion fatigue; burnout; psychiatric caregivers

Hrčak ID:

264558

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/264558

Publication date:

8.9.2015.

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