Compassion Fatigue Themes

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Concepts, Themes, Patterns Many researchers have examined compassion fatigue in regards to individuals who work closely with children in child welfare. As more research has developed there have been several prominent themes that have emerged. Compassion satisfaction, a stable support network, compassion fatigue measurement scales, self care, and trainings have been found to support foster parents and promote strengths that reduce the risk of compassion fatigue and burnout. These themes have allowed professionals and foster parents alike become more effective in their carer roles. When individuals, such as foster parents and professionals in caring role, gain satisfaction from participating in roles where they can express and utilize compassion it is called compassion satisfaction. Findings have “demonstrated that compassion satisfaction is possibly a protective factor against compassion fatigue and burnout, in that caregivers with high compassion satisfaction scores were less …show more content…

However, in addition to how professionals practice self care, Maeyer, Vanderfaeille, Robberects, Vanschoolandt, and Van Holen looked into different coping styles that foster parents specifically found helpful. Their results showed that being task-oriented, contacting an outside support, expressing emotions, and treating oneself can be combined to reduce the stress of foster parenting (Vanderfaeillie, Robberechts, Vanschoonlandt, Van Holen, & De Maeyer, 2015). These small tasks of self care if done regularly can help the carer maintain a healthy balance in the midst of working with potentially stressful

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