EXPLORING COMPASSION FATIGUE RISK IN CERTIFIED CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS

Abstract

Within the pediatric health-care environment medical teams are becoming increasingly reliant on the efforts of certified child life specialists to decrease the stress for patients and their families. Research on related professions has revealed that engaging in therapeutic relationships with traumatized patients can place workers at risk for a condition called compassion fatigue. The present study explores how compassion fatigue, and related conditions, affects child life specialists, as well as identifying possible protective variables. One hundred and fifty four certified Child Life Specialists took an online survey that contained items measuring social support, self-care practices, and professional quality of life. Analyses revealed that risk levels for compassion fatigue in this field are comparable to related professions and that high levels of self care, social support and satisfaction in one's job (compassion satisfaction) are related to lower risk for compassion fatigue and other conditions. Implications of these findings for future research and in developing preventative measures are discussed.