Descriptive correlational design shows empathy reduces secondary traumatic stress in nurses, suggesting new training approaches.
Aim To investigate the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between self-compassion and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among nurses. Methods A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected from 300 nurses in five hospitals in Kerman, Iran, using validated scales measuring self-compassion, empathy, and STS. Results Structural equation modeling revealed significant negative correlations between self-compassion and STS ( r =−.23, p <0.001) and between empathy and STS ( r =−.37, p <0.001). Self-compassion was positively associated with empathy ( r =.41, p <0.001). Empathy partially mediated the self-compassion–STS relationship, with an indirect effect of −0.15 ( p <0.05). Conclusion Self-compassion reduces STS both directly and indirectly by enhancing empathy. Results suggest fostering self-compassion and empathy in nursing education and practice to build resilience and reduce STS risk among health care professionals.
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Poursheikhali et al. (2026) studied this question.
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