Condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion
Compassion fatigue is an evolving concept in the field of traumatology. The term has been used interchangeably with secondary traumatic stress (STS),[1] which is sometimes simply described as the negative cost of caring.[1] Secondary traumatic stress is the term commonly employed in academic literature,[2] although recent assessments have identified certain distinctions between compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress (STS).[3]
Compassion fatigue is a form of traumatic stress resulting from repeated exposure to traumatized individuals[4] or aversive details of traumatic events while working in a helping or protecting profession.[5] This indirect form of trauma exposure differs from experiencing trauma oneself.[1]
Compassion fatigue is considered to be the result of working directly with victims of disasters, trauma, or illness, especially in the health care industry.[6] Individuals working in other helping professions are also at risk for experiencing compassion fatigue.[7] These include doctors,[8] caregivers, child protection workers,[9] veterinarians,[10] clergy, teachers,[11]social workers, palliative care workers,[12]journalists,[13]police officers,[14]firefighters, paramedics, animal welfare workers, health unit coordinators,[15] and student affairs professionals.[16] Non-professionals, such as family members and other informal caregivers of people who have a chronic illness, may also experience compassion fatigue.[6] The term was first coined in 1992 by Carla Joinson to describe the negative impact hospital nurses were experiencing as a result of their repeated, daily exposure to patient emergencies.[1]
^Holcombe, T. Melissa; Strand, Elizabeth B.; Nugent, William R.; Ng, Zenithson Y. (2016). "Veterinary social work: Practice within veterinary settings". Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 26 (1): 69. doi:10.1080/10911359.2015.1059170. S2CID146338069.
^Sharp Donahoo, Lori M.; Siegrist, Beverly; Garrett-Wright, Dawn (2017-08-16). "Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Stress of Special Education Teachers and Professional Staff Using Mindfulness and Prayer". The Journal of School Nursing. 34 (6): 442–448. doi:10.1177/1059840517725789. ISSN1059-8405. PMID28812432. S2CID35250882.
^Backholm, K.; Björkqvist, K. (2010). "The effects of exposure to crisis on well-being of journalists: a study of crisis-related factors predicting psychological health in a sample of Finnish journalists". Media, War & Conflict. 3 (2): 138–151. doi:10.1177/1750635210368309. ISSN1750-6352. S2CID144580678.