Date
2-7-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Rachel Piferi
Keywords
self-care, burnout, compassion fatigue, mental health, mental health professionals, counselors, compassion, holistic healing, and community mental health organizations
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Wohlford, Autumn Brooke, "Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Self-Care Practices: Mental Health Professionals Working in the Community" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6491.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6491
Abstract
Mental health has been thoroughly researched in recent years. However, following community-level mental health professionals' mental health patterns is an emerging concept in the present research field. Due to the recent high demand for mental health professionals in their communities, burnout and compassion have increased. In recent years, researchers have focused on increased burnout and compassion fatigue, as well as the use of self-care practices in mental health professionals. To further contribute to the research, using a quantitative research study, burnout rates, compassion fatigue, and self-care practices were examined in mental health professionals using a multiple linear regression. Sixty mental health professionals self-reported their burnout and compassion fatigue score, and which self-care practices they utilize. The frequency of self-care practices and how they relate to burnout and compassion fatigue were examined. Four types of self-care were identified and examined to find potential predictors. Amongst mental health professionals working in the community, specific self- care practices were measured, and their frequency was examined to determine whether self-care may predict burnout or compassion fatigue. The only predictor for burnout was mental self-care practices. There were no predictors for compassion fatigue. There was a significant relationship between burnout and compassion fatigue, and burnout and total self-care. There was no significant relationship with compassion fatigue and total self- care. The goal of the study is to potentially avoid burnout and compassion fatigue by ensuring mental health professionals utilize self-care practices in their daily lives.
