Fatigue, self-compassion and life satisfaction in nurses

Laburpena

Nursing is a universal profession that plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of populations around the world. The demand for nurses is high and increasing, particularly as the world's population continues to grow and age, and as people live longer and require more medical care. In many countries, nursing is considered one of the most trusted and respected professions. A nurse is a healthcare professional who is accountable for providing care and support to patients, including administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and monitoring patients' progress. Nurses often work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities and may specialize in areas such as pediatrics, oncology, or critical care. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive care for patients. Nurses are also responsible for educating patients and their families about their health conditions, treatments, and recovery processes. They play a key role in promoting health and preventing disease by conducting health screenings, administering vaccinations, and conducting health education. Additionally, nurses are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete patient records and ensuring that patients receive the most effective care (Thakre et al., 2017; Iseminger et al., 2009). The profession of nursing is perceived as being demanding and stressful (Decker, 1997; Jones & Johnston, 2000; Aiken et al., 2001; Watson et al., 2008; Msiska et al., 2014). In a position that exposes them to trying circumstances including long hours, night shifts, and providing support to grieving families and terminally ill patients. Continuous presence in a stressful work environment causes symptoms of depression and excessive anxiety in nurses. They become fatigued and burnout out as a result and nurses' well-being is disturbed. Fatigue among nurses has a significant impact on the effectiveness and safety of their work. Nurse fatigue can lead to decreased job performance, decreased patient satisfaction, and an increased risk of medical errors. Fatigue can have a profound effect on the quality of life, as it can make it difficult to perform daily activities and participate in enjoyable activities. In some cases, fatigue can also lead to reduced work performance and an elevated risk of accidents or errors (McGrath et al., 1989; Clegg, 2001; Duarte et al., 2016). To prevent and relieve nurse fatigue, implementing policies and measures that promote work-life balance, and providing resources for self-care and stress management might also support nurse wellbeing and reduce the risk of burnout. Consequently, based on the nurses' role as one of the most influential members of the health care team, evaluating and recognizing factors that affect their satisfaction with life constitutes a valid measure for nurses, and it is approved for the effectiveness of providing health care (Bartosiewicz et al., 2020; Demerouti et al., 2000). In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize the potential role of self-compassion in many fields, such as health care and especially nursing (Goetz et al., 2010; Wiklund & Wagner, 2013). Nurses' compassion towards themselves, as caregivers, creates distinct impacts. Self-compassion is a powerful resource and has helped nurses to 8 face the experiences and events of their work environment and life (Shapiro et al., 2005). In addition, nurses cannot have true compassion for others without compassion for themselves; this highlights the significance of self-compassion as an influential component of mental health (Heffernan et al., 2010b). This thesis explores the relationship between fatigue, life satisfaction, and selfcompassion in nurses, with the aim of investigating the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between fatigue and life satisfaction. This descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 196 nurses working in a public hospital in Isfahan (Iran) in 2022. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Chalder Fatigue Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the different variables. In order to assess the mediating role of selfcompassion in the relationship between fatigue and life satisfaction, the structural model was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2), and hypothesis testing. Results showed that fatigue with life satisfaction and self-compassion has a positive correlation, and self-compassion is positively related to life satisfaction. Findings further showed that self-compassion plays a mediating role in the relationship between fatigue and life satisfaction. Following Nitzl et al. (2016), a significant total mediation relationship is confirmed between Fatigue and Life Satisfaction through Self-Compassion. Research findings will have constructive implications for nursing practice and healthcare policy. Results from this study expand our knowledge of the potential mediating role of selfcompassion in increasing nurse life satisfaction. By highlighting the importance of selfcompassion, the study may be useful for developing interventions and programs aimed at promoting self-compassion among nurses. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the factors that influence the life satisfaction of nurses, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of care provided to patients.