Combating with Compassion Fatigue: The Perspective of Family Caregivers of People with Schizophrenia

Abstract

summary: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the coping processes used by family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia to deal with compassion fatigue (CF). Methods: Grounded theory was used in this study. For recruitment, purposive and theoretical samplings were used to recruit participants. Data were collected from 29 family caregivers through in-depth interviews and field notes. Data were analyzed using constant and comparative methods. Results: The study revealed a core process for dealing with CF as “Combating with compassion fatigue” that comprised three dynamic phases: strengthening attachment with the care recipient to increase willpower, learning how to deal with the illness, and self-empowerment to fight to the physical and mental fatigue. Conclusions: Family caregivers of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia use various strategies to fight to CF. These combine the past experiences of strategies that work and new approaches. Our research will allow mental health professionals to provide basic strategies to family caregivers of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia to help them to cope with CF.

Keywords

• caregivers
• compassion fatigue
• grounded theory
• schizophrenia