Relationship between Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue and Peritraumatic Psychological Distress among Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients

Background: COVID-19 outbreak has been acknowledged as a global health threat, that negatively impacting countries’ health care systems and economies.‏This pandemic has generated a range of stressors that have an influence on the nurses. Thus, the exposure of nurses to compassion fatigue and psychological distress increased. Aim: Current study aimed to assess the relationship between compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and peritraumatic psychological distress among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. Research design: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Sample: A convenient sample; included two hundred and five (205) staff nurses who providing care for COVID-19 patients at Minia isolation hospitals. Setting: This study was conducted at Minia isolation hospitals which include: Minia fever hospital and Minia chest hospital. Tools: Three tools were used; socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue scale (PROQOL) in addition to COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index (CPDI). Results: The present study showed that about two thirds of the studied sample had average level of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue burnout and secondary traumatic stress. While, less than half of them had high level of peritraumatic psychological distress. Also, a highly significant positive correlation was found between compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress) and peritraumatic psychological distress. Conclusions: Compassion fatigue (burnout) had a positive significant correlation with compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress), and a highly significant negative correlation with compassion satisfaction. Recommendations: A resilience program should be implemented to reduce stress and inspire nurses to work efficiently during these difficult times.