Examine the possible correlation between violence and compassion satisfaction and fatigue and experience with traumatic life events among mental health professionals working in a forensic department.

Jacob Christian Hvidhjelm, Jesper Bak, Christian Delcomyn

Abstract

Abstract:
Violence and threats of violence is a widely recognized problem, particularly in Mental Health services. No research is available investigating the possible relationship between compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and experience with traumatic life events with experienced violence and threats of violence. A better understanding of these complex relationships may offer insight into a way to reduce violence and threats of violence on forensic psychiatric wards. Aim: This study aimed to assess the possible correlation between violence and compassion satisfaction and fatigue and experience with traumatic events in life.

Methods:
A Cross-sectional design was used to survey health professionals at a mental health center in Denmark. The survey included questions regarding exposure to violence and threats, demographic questions, the Professional Quality of Life: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue v. 5 tool (Stamm, 2010) measured compassion satisfaction, and compassion fatigue (secondary traumatic stress and burnout) and Brief Trauma Questionnaire (BTQ) (National Center for PTSD, 1999).

Results:
Two hundred and seventeen mental health professionals (nurses, nurses-aid, psychiatrist, psychologist, social works, physiotherapist and occupational therapist) returned their questionnaires giving rise to a response rate of 74.8%. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents were females and 25.8% reported to have been exposed to violence during the last 12 months and 71% have been exposed to threats of violence. Descriptive statistics demonstrate that 33.2% of the staff showed low Compassion satisfaction, 30.4% high Burnout, and 28.1% high Secondary traumatic stress. There were no significantly differences between sex and age regarding be exposed to violence and threats of violence. Compassion satisfaction were significantly lower among nurses (p=.036) and nurses-aid (p=.034) compared to the two other groups (the group of psychiatrists, psychologist, and the group of social works, physiotherapist and occupational therapist), there were no significantly differences on Burn-out and Secondary traumatic stress.

Implications:
Mental health professionals working in a forensic setting experience a considerable amount of stress suggesting psychological risk to the staff’s wellbeing and possible impairments to patients care. Our results pointes in a direction, but more research need to be done on this matter
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Publikationsdato10 maj 2018
Antal sider1
StatusUdgivet - 10 maj 2018
BegivenhedHoratio European Congress: Safe Settings - Nordic House, Torshavn, Færøerne
Varighed: 10 maj 201812 maj 2018

Konference

KonferenceHoratio European Congress
LokationNordic House
Land/OmrådeFærøerne
ByTorshavn
Periode10/05/201812/05/2018

Fingeraftryk

Dyk ned i forskningsemnerne om 'Examine the possible correlation between violence and compassion satisfaction and fatigue and experience with traumatic life events among mental health professionals working in a forensic department.'. Sammen danner de et unikt fingeraftryk.

Citationsformater