Prevalence and Social Demographic Factors Associated with Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout and Compassion Satisfaction among Nurses at Selected Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: Nurses’ constant exposure to severe human suffering within constrained health care environments places them at risk for developing Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout. The current study therefore sought to establish the prevalence and social demographic factors associated with Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout and Compassion Satisfaction among Nurses working at selected Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: A correlational design employing a self-administered questionnaire adapted from version five of the Professional Quality of Life scale was used to collect data from 250 nurses drawn using proportional stratified sampling method. The resulting data were analyzed using version 23 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout. Findings: Whilst the majority of respondents reported average levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout, about a quarter reported high Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout scores at 23% and 26% respectively. Only 81 (32.4%) scored high on Compassion Satisfaction. Social demographic factors including;working in the main Intensive Care Unit, and being married accounted for the greatest variance in Secondary Traumatic Stress (R2 = 0.237, p Conclusion: Findings of the current study signify a need to institute measures to help nurses cope with the deleterious psychological effects of constant engagement with those in distress and to foster Compassion Satisfaction.

Self-Compassion and Empathy: Impact on Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Medical Training

Objective: To determine how self-compassion and empathy might influence the degree of burnout, secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction among medical students and residents. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of medical students and select residency programs at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale (burnout, secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction), Neff’s Self-Compassion Scale, and the empathic concern and personal distress subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Results: The response rate was 28.6%. 23.9% and 27.3% of medical trainees reported high levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, respectively. Females reported greater empathy but lower self-compassion than males. Greater concern for others and oneself and lower personal distress predicted greater pleasure derived from professional work. Less concern for others and lower concern for oneself predicted greater burnout. Conclusions: Compassion for oneself and for others within their care appears to ameliorate burnout and can increase professional satisfaction. Initiatives to foster empathy and self-compassion may enhance individual well-being.

Reflection:A Critical Look at Escaping Secondary Traumatic Stress Experienced by Law Enforcement Officers

Despite the stigma that is associated with law enforcement officers receiving mental health resources and treatment to combat secondary traumatic stress,it is widely the most effective form for recovery and having a fulfilling career.Law enforcement officers are superheroes and,they are known for saving the day.That is why it is critical for mental health offerings to be normalized in law enforcement agencies and constant evaluation of the psychological and cognitive well-being of officers.Unfortunately,the stress of the profession will not go away,but having resources and incentives to address several factors that officers face will assist with their overall feeling about the important work they do.As such,it is recommended that law enforcement agencies adopt programs to treat secondary traumatic stress,such as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing,Peer-Support Program,and Crisis Intervention Team.While there is no perfect program,these programs are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury or death during an emergency interaction between citizens and law enforcement officers.Ultimately,it is the responsibility of those charged with protecting law enforcement officers to understand the stress and how it affects the mind and body of those officers in managing life,work,and citizens.