Compassion for others, self-compassion, quality of life and mental well-being measures and their association with compassion fatigue and burnout in student midwives : a quantitative survey

Beaumont, EA; Durkin, M; Hollins-Martin, CJ; Carson, J

Abstract

Background: Compassion fatigue and burnout can impact on the performance of midwives, with this quantitative paper exploring the relationship between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, self-judgement, self-kindness, compassion for others, professional quality of life and well-being of student midwives.
Method: A quantitative survey measured relationships between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, well-being, and burnout using questionnaires: (1) Professional Quality of Life Scale; (2) Self-Compassion Scale; (3) Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; (4) Compassion For Others Scale.
Participants: A purposive and convenience sample of student midwives (n=103) studying at university participated in the study.
Results: Just over half of the sample reported above average scores for burnout. The results indicate that student midwives who report higher scores on the self-judgement sub-scale are less compassionate towards both themselves and others, have reduced well-being, and report greater burnout and compassion fatigue. Student midwives who report high on measures of self-compassion and well-being report less compassion fatigue and burnout.
Conclusion: Student midwives may find benefit from ‘being kinder to self’ in times of suffering, which could potentially help them to prepare for the emotional demands of practice and study.
Implications: Developing, creating and cultivating environments that foster compassionate care for self and others may play a significant role in helping midwives face the rigours of education and clinical practice during their degree programme.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Nov 6, 2015
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Dec 15, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 6, 2016
• Journal: Midwifery
• Print ISSN: 0266-6138
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 34
• Pages: 239-244
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2015.11.002
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2015.11.002