Associations between compassion fatigue and suicidality among healthcare workers in the United States

Okon, Sylvia Asuquo

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129230 Copy

Description

Title

Associations between compassion fatigue and suicidality among healthcare workers in the United States

Author(s)

Okon, Sylvia Asuquo

Issue Date

2025-04-23

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Hoopsick, Rachel Ann

Department of Study

Health and Kinesiology

Discipline

Community Health

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Compassion fatigue
• psychological well-being
• suicide attempts
• suicide planning
• suicidal thoughts.

Abstract

Background: The psychological well-being of healthcare workers affects not only their own health but also patient care quality, making it critical to examine the mental health needs of the healthcare workforce. While compassion fatigue (i.e., depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and career dissatisfaction) and suicidality have been studied separately among healthcare workers, their relationship with each other remains understudied. This study investigates the associations between compassion fatigue and past-year suicidal thoughts, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among a diverse sample of healthcare workers. Methods: We collected cross-sectional data from a sample of U.S. healthcare workers (N = 200). Logistic regression models examined relationships between compassion fatigue and past-year suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts, separately. Final models controlled for gender and occupational setting (hospital vs. other). Results: Suicidality was prevalent: 14% of participants reported past-year suicidal thoughts, 6.0% reported suicide planning, and 3.5% reported a suicide attempt. Greater compassion fatigue was significantly associated with increased odds of past-year suicidal thoughts (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.16), suicide planning (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19), and suicide attempts (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21). After controlling for gender and occupational setting, these associations remained significant for suicidal thoughts (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.16), suicide planning (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.19), and suicide attempts (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.21). Conclusions: Findings suggest that higher compassion fatigue is linked to increased suicidality among healthcare workers, highlighting the need to address compassion fatigue as a potential risk factor.

Graduation Semester

2025-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129230

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025 Sylvia Okon

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