Prevalence of Compassion Fatigue among Caregivers of Terminally Ill Patients in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2022-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Daystar University School of Applied Human Sciences
Abstract
The study determined the prevalence of compassion fatigue among caregivers in selected hospitals in Nairobi County in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish factors that cause compassion fatigue to caregivers of terminally ill patients, analyze psychosocial factors that affect caregivers of terminally ill patients and examine factors that mitigate effects of compassion fatigue on caregivers of terminally ill patients. This study was guided by two theories: Social Support Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. The research had a descriptive survey design, with target population of 393 caregivers and a sample size of 68 participants obtained from it. Participants were purposefully selected using random sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 25) and Microsoft 365 excel. The findings showed that compassion fatigue was significantly prevalent among caregivers of terminally ill patients. The study showed that giving emotional support to the critically ill at workplace was the main cause of compassion fatigue to nurses. Secondly, lack of giving emotional support to the nurses themselves at both home and place of work made the situation worse. The other reason for compassion fatigue was lack of emotional support from family and colleagues while doing their duties. Based on the finding ten approaches were suggested by the respondent as effective methods to checking compassion fatigue among caregivers of terminally ill patients. The study recommended adequate surveillance of the state of compassion fatigue among caregivers of terminally ill patients with consistent debriefing of caregiver being done consistently. It was realized that every caregiver should be given some form of support system to assist them cope with the effects of compassion fatigue, while giving care to patients with terminal illnesses.
Description
MASTER OF ARTS
in Counseling Psychology
Keywords
Compassion, Fatigue, Caregivers, Terminally Ill Patients, Selected Hospitals, Nairobi County
Citation
Mulwa.D(2022).Prevalence of Compassion Fatigue among Caregivers of Terminally Ill Patients in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya:Daystar University School of Applied Human Sciences(Thesis)