Date of Award
Spring 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Athletic Training – Post Professional Concentration
Committee Chairperson
Lindsey Keenan, PhD, LAT, ATC
Committee Member
Emily Duckett, MS, LAT, ATC
Committee Member
Alison Gardiner Shires, PhD, LAT, ATC
Abstract
Abstract
Context: Compassion Fatigue is prevalent in many health care professions; however, prevalence in athletic trainers have not been examined. Given the high rate burnout and excessive demand placed upon those employed in athletic training profession, there is a need to examine the overall professional quality of life in order to identify compassion imbalances that may affect both patient care and personal well-being. Methods: A total of 293 clinically active National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) members (33.4% male, 66.6% female) completed a demographics questionnaire along with the Professional Quality of Life-21 (ProQOL-21) survey provided via Qualtrics online software. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of the professional quality of life scales including compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue, and a Pearson’s Correlation was conducted to examine the relationship between these two factors. Results: More than half the participants (55.3%, n = 162) experienced an average level of compassion fatigue, while another 25.6% (n = 81) of participants were categorized as experiencing high compassion fatigue. Similarly, half of the participants (53.6%, n = 157) experienced average compassion satisfaction. The bivariate correlation analysis indicated a significant, negative relationship between compassion fatigue and satisfaction, r = -.377, n = 293, p = .001. Conclusions: Athletic Trainers experience average satisfaction in their clinical compassion when providing care to patients; however, compassion fatigue is also prevalent in this profession. Additional research is warranted to further investigate this relationship in athletic training and examine both prevention and causes of compassion fatigue. Word Count:250
Recommended Citation
Riordan, Tina E., "Professional Quality of Life: An Examination of Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction in Athletic Trainers" (2020). West Chester University Master’s Theses. 123.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_theses/123