Data Sheet 1_Compassion fatigue and satisfaction among frontline staff in long term care facilities: psychometric properties of the Serbian version of the professional quality of life scale.pdf

IntroductionThis study explored the complex relationship between anxiety, depression, compassion fatigue, and satisfaction among long-term care (LTC) workers following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the study assessed psychometric properties of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, to ensure a reliable and valid instrument for identifying compassion fatigue and satisfaction in the Serbian healthcare system.
MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted across LTC facilities in the Republic of Serbia. A ProQOL was administered to physicians, nurses, and aids, to measure compassion fatigue (including burnout and secondary traumatic stress) and compassion satisfaction. The following standardized instruments were also distributed: Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and 12-Item Short-Form Health 36 Survey (SF-12).
ResultsA total of 300 LTC workers participated, mostly women (86.3%), with an average age of 45.4 ± 10.5 years and a median work experience of 15 years (range: 1 to 42 years). The study reported a significant presence of anxiety and depression symptoms (53.3% and 43.3%, respectively), with LTC workers experiencing moderate levels of compassion fatigue, as indicated by burnout (58.3%) and stress (57.3%) subscales, and moderate or high levels of compassion satisfaction (49.0% and 50.0%, respectively). The study demonstrated that anxiety impacts depression both directly and indirectly (p<0.05). Specifically, burnout and compassion satisfaction mediated the positive effect of anxiety on depression, indicating that increased anxiety led to higher burnout and lower compassion satisfaction, which resulted in greater depression (p<0.05). The three-factor structure of the ProQOL was validated (IFI, TLI, and CFI were above the cut-off of ≥0.95, and the RMSEA was below the suggested value of ≤ 0.06). The Cronbach α of the three subscales was above 0.8, indicating good scale reliability.
ConclusionThis study contributes to the broader literature on LTC workers wellbeing by examining the complex interplay between professional quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The findings should guide decision-makers in developing targeted interventions and policies that promote the psychological resilience and well-being of LTC workers, thereby enhancing both individual and organizational outcomes in the healthcare sector.

引言：本研究探讨了新冠疫情后长期照护（Long-Term Care, LTC）工作人员的焦虑、抑郁、共情疲劳与职业满意度之间的复杂关联。此外，本研究还评估了职业生活质量量表（Professional Quality of Life, ProQOL）的心理测量学属性，以期为塞尔维亚医疗体系中用于识别共情疲劳与职业满意度的可靠有效工具提供支撑。

研究方法：本研究在塞尔维亚共和国的长期照护机构中开展横断面研究。向医师、护士及护理辅助人员发放职业生活质量量表，以测量共情疲劳（涵盖职业倦怠与继发性创伤应激）与共情满意度。同时还分发了以下标准化测评工具：继发性创伤应激量表（Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale, STSS）、抑郁焦虑压力量表21项版（Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21, DASS-21）以及12条目简明健康调查问卷（12-Item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-12）。

研究结果：共计300名长期照护工作人员参与本研究，其中以女性为主（占比86.3%），平均年龄为45.4±10.5岁，工作经验中位数为15年（范围：1~42年）。本研究显示焦虑与抑郁症状检出率较高，分别为53.3%与43.3%；以职业倦怠分量表（得分率58.3%）与应激分量表（得分率57.3%）来看，长期照护工作人员存在中度水平的共情疲劳，同时其共情满意度处于中度或高水平，占比分别为49.0%与50.0%。研究证实焦虑对抑郁存在直接与间接的影响（p<0.05），具体而言，职业倦怠与共情满意度在焦虑对抑郁的正向影响中起中介作用：焦虑水平升高会导致职业倦怠加剧、共情满意度降低，进而引发更严重的抑郁症状（p<0.05）。职业生活质量量表的三因子结构得到验证：递增拟合指数（IFI）、塔克-刘易斯指数（TLI）与比较拟合指数（CFI）均高于0.95的临界值，近似误差均方根（RMSEA）低于0.06的推荐阈值。三个分量表的克朗巴赫α系数均高于0.8，表明该量表具有良好的信度。

研究结论：本研究通过剖析职业生活质量、焦虑与抑郁之间的复杂交互作用，丰富了长期照护工作人员福祉相关的研究文献。本研究结果可为决策者制定针对性干预措施与政策提供参考，以提升长期照护工作人员的心理韧性与福祉水平，进而改善医疗保健领域的个体与组织绩效。