The prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and perceived stress, and their relationships with mental toughness, individual differences and number of self-care actions in a UK police force

ABSTRACT

Police personnel are likely to be affected by stress and compassion fatigue, which may have important consequences for health, well-being and job performance. There are certain individual differences which may protect against compassion fatigue, for example mental toughness, personality and self-care behaviours. However, there is little research examining all of these constructs in combination with policing. The current study aimed to gather information regarding the prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and perceived stress within a large UK police force, and their relationships with personality, mental toughness and self-care activities. A questionnaire was completed by 605 police employees within a UK police force. The results demonstrated that 20% of personnel suffered from negative psychological outcomes and that these outcomes were predicted by individual differences and self-care activities. The requirement for shift work, and mental toughness scores, significantly predicted compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and perceived stress. The analyses also revealed a role for gender, tenure, personality and self-care in several aspects of well-being. The implications of these findings are discussed, considering the current contexts in which policing operates, with the aim of improving the psychological well-being of police officers and staff.

KEYWORDS:

• Compassion fatigue
• compassion satisfaction
• perceived stress
• mental toughness
• police

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa Ellen Burnett

Melissa Ellen Burnett is studying for a BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement at Newcastle University, UK. This work was conducted during her placement year whilst working with the local police force.

Isobel Sheard

Isobel Sheard is studying for a BSc in Psychology with Professional Placement at Newcastle University, UK. This work was conducted during her placement year whilst working with the local police force.

Helen St Clair-Thompson

Helen St Clair-Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Newcastle University, UK, with research interests in mental toughness and wellbeing.