Experiences of Compassion Fatigue among Nurses Working in Psychiatric Clinics: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the experiences of compassion fatigue among nurses working in a psychiatric clinic using a phenomenological approach. Methods: This phenomenological study was conducted between July and September 2023 with 14 nurses working in a psychiatric clinic, using semi-structured questions. Criterion sampling was employed to reach the sample group, and interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. Colaizzi's seven-step method was used to analyze the data, allowing fora comprehensive examination of the participants' experiences and thereby contributing to the reliability of the findings. Results: Five themes were developed based on 16 categories identified in the study.The themes included the role of compassion in psychiatric care, nurses' perceptions of compassion fatigue, negative emotions that trigger compassion fatigue in psychiatric care, strategies for coping with compassion fatigue, and suggestions for managing compassion fatigue. Conclusion: The study concluded that compassion is fundamental to psychiatric care but can also lead to compassion fatigue when professional boundaries are crossed. Nurses stated that feelings such as exhaustion, anger, sadness, fear, and anxiety increased the risk of compassion fatigue. It was found that they used dysfunctional coping methods such as increased smoking, emotional avoidance, and shifting focus. The study also revealed that nurses had expectations in clinical and educational areas to prevent compassion fatigue.