title: Compassion for others, self-compassion, quality of life and mental well-being measures and their association with compassion fatigue and burnout in student midwives: A quantitative survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  compassion fatigue and burnout can impact on the performance of midwives, with this quantitative paper exploring the relationship between self-compassion, burnout, compassion fatigue, self-judgement, self-kindness, compassion for others, professional quality of life and well-being of student midwives.
  
  
  METHODS
  a quantitative survey measured relationships using questionnaires: (1) Professional Quality of Life Scale; (2) Self-Compassion Scale; (3) Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale; (4) Compassion For Others Scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  a purposive and convenience sample of student midwives (n=103) studying at university participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  just over half of the sample reported above average scores for burnout. The results indicate that student midwives who report higher scores on the self-judgement sub-scale are less compassionate towards both themselves and others, have reduced well-being, and report greater burnout and compassion fatigue. Student midwives who report high on measures of self-compassion and well-being report less compassion fatigue and burnout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  student midwives may find benefit from 'being kinder to self' in times of suffering, which could potentially help them to prepare for the emotional demands of practice and study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  developing, creating and cultivating environments that foster compassionate care for self and others may play a significant role in helping midwives face the rigours of education and clinical practice during their degree programme.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Social Care, Mary Seacole (Room MS3.17), University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, Greater Manchester M6 6PU, UK. Electronic address: E.A.Beaumont@salford.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.affiliation: University of Bolton, BL3 5AB, UK. Electronic address: MAD1HSS@bolton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durkin
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN, UK. Electronic address: C.HollinsMartin@napier.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hollins Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bolton, BL3 5AB, UK. Electronic address: jfc1@bolton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000068376:Compassion Fatigue; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burnout; Compassion fatigue; Self-compassion; Self-judgement; Student midwives; Well-being