Professional Quality of Life Among Nurses: Interrelationships of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Across Demographic and Workplace Factors
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ABSTRACT
Objective: This study examined the levels, interrelationships, and demographic and professional correlates of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among registered nurses.
Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was conducted among 167 registered nurses recruited from five hospitals in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Data were collected using the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5) and a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc tests were applied.
Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate levels of CS (M=37.62), BO (M=25.08), and STS (M=26.47). CS was negatively correlated with BO (r=-0.501, p<0.001) and STS (r=-0.342, p<0.001), while BO and STS exhibited a strong positive correlation (r=0.709, p<0.001). Age significantly differentiated CS (F=4.158, p=0.007). BO varied significantly by age (F=8.882, p=0.007), sex (t=-2.13, p=0.035), and work experience (F=3.911, p=0.010). STS differed significantly by age (F=3.390, p=0.019), sex (t=-2.15, p=0.033), and work experience (F=3.911, p=0.010). Female, younger, and less experienced nurses exhibited heightened vulnerability to occupational distress.
Conclusion: Compassion satisfaction functions as a protective factor against burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Age, sex, and professional experience are key determinants of professional quality of life. Targeted organizational interventions prioritizing early-career and female nurses, alongside routine ProQOL monitoring and gender-responsive support strategies, are recommended to enhance nurse well-being and workforce retention.
Keywords: Compassion satisfaction; burnout; secondary traumatic stress; nurses; professional quality of life; Philippines
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