A Quantitative Exploration of the Relationship Between Self Compassion and the Experience of Burn out, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Compassion Satisfaction Among Social Workers Specifically Working with Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma

Background: This study explored the association between self compassion and the experience of burn out (BO), secondary traumatic stress (STS) and compassion satisfaction (CS) among social work providers who specifically work with children and youth who have experienced trauma. Literature review indicated that few studies specifically addressed the professional well-being of this group of social work direct service providers. This study attempted to understand one specific psychological factor, self compassion, and its possible effects on the emotional aspects of working children and youth who have experienced trauma and how this association may vary with different demographic factors.

Methods: This study utilized a cross sectional research design with quantitative surveys. It had a non-probability snowball sample of 60 providers working directly with children and youth who have experienced trauma. The sample is predominantly female (86.7% female and 13.3% male) and white (68.3%). One online survey composed of a demographic section, two scales, Self Compassion Scale and Professional Quality of Life Scale, and two open-ended questions is used to gather answers to the research questions. Pearson correlations statistical analysis is conducted through SPSS in order to understand the correlations between the level of BO, STS, CS and self compassion level.

Results: The findings indicate that this sample has a relatively high level of self compassion (53.3% participants have high level of self compassion, 40% reported a medium level of self compassion), relatively low BO (51.7% participants have low BO and 48.3% participants have medium BO), relatively low STS (50% participants experience low STS, 50% participants experience medium level of BO), and relatively high CS (63.3% has a medium level of CS, 36.7% has a high level of CS). Statistical tests between self compassion and BO, STS and CS were conducted and indicated a strong negative association between self compassion and STS, a strong negative association between self compassion and BO. Both associations are statistically significant; there is a statistically significant moderate positive association between self compassion and CS. Gender serves as a factor that can affect this association: the significant associations between self compassion and BO, STS and CS are only present among female participants. Ethnicity also serves as an influential factor in the associations between levels of self compassion and STS, BO and CS. People with lower levels of income’s self compassion level is more strongly associated with BO and STS than those who have medium level of income. Also, the length of work schedule also affects the association: the longer one works the more negative the association between self compassion and BO is.

Conclusions and Implications: The findings suggest that self compassion serves as a relevant concept when examining providers’ level of BO, STS and CS. In order to minimize BO and STS and maximize CS, programs and individuals should stress the importance of self compassion by strengthening the six sub constructs of self compassion with the understanding of its varied presentations among differences in gender, income level, ethnic group and working hours.