Title : Trajectories and interrelationships of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among family caregivers of disabled elderly
Abstract:
Background: The aging population has increased pressure on family caregivers, especially those caring for disabled elderly individuals. Family caregiving impacts caregivers' quality of life in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, caregivers often experience compassion satisfaction (CS), a sense of fulfillment from helping others. However, the burdens of caregiving can also lead to significant psychological, emotional, and physical stress, often manifesting as compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout (BO).
Objectives: This study assesses the trajectories and interrelationships of CF, BO, and CS among family caregivers of disabled elderly individuals over time.
Methods: A three-wave longitudinal study over six months was conducted with family caregivers of disabled elderly in Guangzhou, China. Latent growth modeling and cross-lagged panel analysis explored changes in CF, BO, and CS and their interrelationships.
Results: Of 264 participants, 169 completed all waves. Results showed a decline in BO. and stability in CF, with an increase in CS over a six-month period. Significant associations were observed between baseline CF and subsequent BO (β = 0.326, p < 0.001) and CS (β = -0.306, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, initial BO was significantly associated with CF at the follow-up wave (wave 1: β = 0.326, p < 0.001; wave 2: β = 0.326, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: This study highlights the complex dynamics of caregiving, showing BO decreases and CF increases over time, while CF remains stable, reflecting ongoing emotional strain. The cyclical relationship between CF and BO indicates the need for early interventions. Higher CS is linked to lower BO, underscoring the importance of enhancing caregivers' sense of accomplishment. These findings call for targeted support and policies to sustain caregiver well-being in elderly care.
