The Relationship of Compassion Fatigue and Tolerance of Ambiguity in Emotional Exhaustion among Healthcare Workers
Subject Areas : PsychologyFatemeh Sadat Samsam Shariat 1 , Fatemeh Sadat Safaei 2 , sara taheri 3
1 - M.A. Student in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran
2 - M.A. Student in Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Aghigh Institute of Higher Education, 8315685508, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords: Compassion fatigue, Tolerance of ambiguity, Emotional exhaustion, Healthcare personnel,
Abstract :
The aim of the present study was to investigate the Relationship of compassion fatigue and tolerance of ambiguity in emotional exhaustion among healthcare personnel. This study employed a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design and was conducted in the summer of 2024. The statistical population consisted of all healthcare workers employed in medical and healthcare clinics in the city of Isfahan. To this end, four clinics were randomly selected, and all staff members—including physicians, nurses, nurse aides, midwives, and anesthesia, operating room, radiology, and laboratory technicians—were invited to participate. Ultimately, the study was conducted with a sample of 100 healthcare personnel working in the aforementioned departments. Data were collected using the Compassion Fatigue Scale (Figley, 2000), the Tolerance of Ambiguity Scale (McLain, 2008), and the Emotional Exhaustion Scale (Chen et al., 2019). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26, at both descriptive and inferential levels. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion, as well as a significant negative relationship between tolerance of ambiguity and emotional exhaustion among healthcare personnel. Overall, the findings indicate that compassion fatigue directly increases emotional exhaustion in healthcare workers, while low tolerance of ambiguity exacerbates this process, underscoring the need for supportive and educational interventions to enhance their emotional resilience.
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