Abstract
Objective
This study examined the moderating effects of self‐care on various compassion outcomes among mental health providers.
Method
Mental health providers (n = 371; 94.1% female; mean age = 47.12) were surveyed regarding their level of self‐care, history of adverse childhood experiences, and the degree of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction experienced.
Results
Results indicated that providers who endorsed a history of adverse childhood experiences (82.5%) also endorsed greater negative compassion outcomes than those who did not have such a history. Endorsement of self‐care activities was a significant predictor of compassion satisfaction and burnout in the expected directions. Self‐care served as a moderator between adverse childhood experiences and burnout.
Conclusions
Self‐care is an effective method for decreasing negative compassion outcomes among mental health providers who work with trauma. It is important to develop effective training programs that promote self‐care in personal and professional settings.