Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress among Registered Nurses in Ilocos Sur, Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study
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Objective: This study examined the levels, interrelationships, and demographic correlates of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among registered nurses in Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional correlational design was conducted among 168 nurses recruited from five hospitals using stratified sampling. Data were collected using the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5) and a demographic questionnaire. Due to non-normal distributions, nonparametric analyses were applied, including Spearman’s rho, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis H tests with Dunn’s post hoc and Bonferroni adjustment. Effect sizes were computed using r and η².
Findings: Nurses demonstrated moderate levels across all three ProQOL dimensions. Compassion satisfaction was negatively correlated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress, while burnout and secondary traumatic stress were strongly positively associated. Age and sex were significantly associated with all subscales, with mid-career nurses reporting higher burnout and females exhibiting higher scores across dimensions. Work experience was significantly associated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress but not compassion satisfaction, with more experienced nurses reporting lower trauma-related stress. Area of assignment approached significance for burnout.
Conclusion: Professional quality of life reflects a coexistence of moderate fulfillment and distress. The strong association between burnout and secondary traumatic stress suggests conceptual overlap within compassion fatigue. Interventions targeting career-stage vulnerabilities and enhancing compassion satisfaction are essential to sustain nurse well-being in rural healthcare settings.
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