A pilot study exploring the relationship between self-compassion, self-judgement, self-kindness, compassion, professional quality of life and wellbeing among UK community nurses.
BACKGROUND
Compassion fatigue and burnout can impact on performance of nurses. This paper explores the relationship between self-compassion, self-judgement, self-kindness, compassion, professional quality of life, and wellbeing among community nurses.


OBJECTIVE
To measure associations between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, wellbeing, and burnout in community nurses.


METHODS
Quantitative data were collected using standardised psychometric questionnaires: (1) Professional Quality of Life Scale; (2) Self-Compassion Scale; (3) short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale; (4) Compassion For Others Scale, used to measure relationships between self-compassion, compassion fatigue, wellbeing, and burnout.


METHODS
A cross sectional sample of registered community nurses (n=37) studying for a postgraduate diploma at a University in the North of England took part in this study.


RESULTS
Results show that community nurses who score high on measures of self-compassion and wellbeing, also report less burnout. Greater compassion satisfaction was also positively associated with compassion for others, and wellbeing, whilst also being negatively correlated with burnout.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of self-compassion were linked with lower levels of burnout. Furthermore when community nurses have greater compassion satisfaction they also report more compassion for others, increased wellbeing, and less burnout. The implications of this are discussed alongside suggestions for the promotion of greater compassion.
School of Health and Human Sciences, University of Bolton, BL3 5AB, UK. Electronic address: MAD1HSS@bolton.ac.uk.
Mark
M
Durkin
School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences Mary Seacole Building, (Room MS3.17), University of Salford, Frederick Road, Salford, Greater Manchester M6 6PU, UK. Electronic address: E.A.Beaumont@salford.ac.uk.
Elaine
E
Beaumont
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN, UK. Electronic address: C.HollinsMartin@napier.ac.uk.
Caroline J
CJ
Hollins Martin
School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, BL3 5AB, UK. Electronic address: jfc1@bolton.ac.uk.
Jerome
J
Carson
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D006113:United Kingdom
Burnout; Compassion; Compassion fatigue; District nurses; Self-compassion; Wellbeing