The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion Between Mindfulness and Compassion Fatigue Among Therapists

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Research Institute for Education, Organization for Educational Research and Planning, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran. Iran

3 3. Department of Operations Management and Decision Sciences, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between mindfulness and compassion in therapists. This research was applied and descriptive correlational. Psychotherapists, counselors, and mental health specialists with a minimum of one year of therapy experience, who resided in Iran from July to December 2022 and had access to social media, comprised the research population. 300 individuals were selected through the available sampling method via members of groups and pages of social networks related to psychology and counseling. Specifically, 300 individuals were selected. Scales of compassion fatigue (CFST), mindfulness (FMQ), and self-compassion scale (SCS) comprised the research instruments. Data analysis was conducted using path analysis method using via SPSS 26 and Lisrel 7.8. The fit indices that were obtained demonstrated that the model was well-suited to the data. The findings indicated that compassion fatigue is both directly and indirectly predicted by mindfulness. The indirect path of self-awareness through kindness to self-awareness and human commonalities with self-compassion was significant and showed the mediating role of all three components of self-compassion in the relationship between self-awareness and fatigue caused by compassion. According to research findings, mindfulness in therapists has a protective effect against psychological issues, resulting in reduced fatigue and increased self-compassion. Additionally, it is less likely that they perceive themselves as identical to the thoughts and feelings they experience.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Volume 16, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 49-62

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 January 2023
  • Revise Date: 23 March 2023
  • Accept Date: 03 June 2023
  • First Publish Date: 15 April 2024
  • Publish Date: 21 April 2025

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