Compassion fatigue and coping strategies among nurses working with traumatised patients

The study investigated the influence of different coping strategies used by nurses working with traumatized patients to try and combat the compassion fatigue they might experience. The role of demographic variables such as age, number of years working experience, marital status and highest qualification were also investigated. A sample of 150 female nurses working in the four state hospitals in Bloemfontein participated in the study. Data was gathered by means of self-report questionnaires compiled by the researcher. The battery of questions included a few biographical questions, a test measuring compassion fatigue and another to identify the type of coping strategies the nurses use. Results showed a strong correlation between compassion fatigue and coping strategies. Nurses who experienced the least compassion fatigue are the ones who use problem focussed coping strategies especially restraint coping. The results showed no significant influence of the demographic variables mentioned above.