Mechanisms of Emergence and Development of Compassion Fatigue in the Nurses’ Professional Activity

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the phenomenon of compassion fatigue in nurses. The relevance of the topic is due to the increase in the emotional burden on medical personnel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, military operations in Ukraine, and the increase in the number of complex clinical cases among patients. Compassion fatigue is considered as a result of prolonged emotional involvement in the process of caring for patients, which is accompanied by constant empathy and dedication, especially in complex departments. Modern scientific approaches to understanding the mechanisms of this condition are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the views of foreign and Ukrainian researchers who study the relationship between compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization, emotional burnout, and moral distress. The role of individual (level of empathy, emotional stability) and organizational factors (lack of support, overload, lack of clear algorithms of actions in difficult situations) is revealed. It is outlined that the greatest vulnerability to the development of compassion fatigue is demonstrated by nurses who are constantly in contact with patients in stressful conditions and do not have sufficient professional or psychological support. It is emphasized that compassion fatigue should be considered as a separate psycho-emotional phenomenon that has a multifactorial origin and manifests itself in changes in the cognitive, emotional and physiological spheres of the personality. The main symptoms of the syndrome are systematized: anxiety, decreased motivation, loss of empathy, psychosomatic disorders. The key mechanisms of this condition development are identified, namely, constant emotional involvement in the suffering of others, a shortage of resources for recovery, insufficient professional training for crisis situations. In conclusion, it is noted that overcoming compassion fatigue requires a comprehensive approach. Promising directions for further research are proposed - empirical study of the state of compassion fatigue in nurses of various specializations with the subsequent implementation of psychological programs to support them.