Abstract
Purpose:
To examine relationships among secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses.
Method:
Participants comprised 142 nurses working in two psychiatric hospitals in the same province of Turkey. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, and Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction subscales of the Professional Quality of Life Scale.
Results:
A significant and negative correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress, mindfulness, and compassion satisfaction, and between mindfulness and compassion fatigue. A significant and positive correlation was found between secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue, as well as between mindfulness and compassion satisfaction (
p
< 0.05).
Conclusion:
Findings demonstrate that mindfulness may be a protective factor in preventing secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue in psychiatric nurses. It is recommended that in-service training be organized periodically to increase levels of conscious awareness among psychiatric nurses. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx
(xx), xx–xx.]