The Impact of Compassion Fatigue on the Psychological Well-Being of Nurses Caring for Patients with Dementia: Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Data Analysis

Background/Objectives: Nurses are susceptible to compassion fatigue due to the nature of their professional responsibilities. Factors contributing to this vulnerability include daily patient interactions, organizational elements within their work environment, as well as work-related stress and socio-demographic characteristics, including age, marital status, years of professional experience, and notably, gender. The present study aims to examine the burden experienced by nurses who provide care for dementia patients, focusing on aspects such as compassion fatigue, mental health issues, quality of life, and the interrelations among these dimensions. Methods: This study involved a survey administered to a sample of 115 nurses employed in healthcare institutions specializing in the care of patients with dementia in Greece. The Hospitality Anxiety and Depression Scale , the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-5), and the participants’ personal, demographic, and professional information were all included in an electronic questionnaire that they had to fill out. Results: A total of 42.6% of nurses rated their working environment as favorable relative to their peers. Additionally, 23.5% of the sample exhibited high levels of compassion satisfaction, whereas 46.1% demonstrated low levels of burnout. Elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression were found to correlate with decreased compassion satisfaction, increased burnout, and heightened secondary post-traumatic stress. Conclusions: Engaging in the care of patients with dementia, particularly throughout the pandemic period, has underscored a pronounced susceptibility to compassion fatigue, physical fatigue, pain, psychological stress, and a reduced quality of life. It is therefore imperative to prioritize the provision of support for nursing professionals.