Compassion satisfaction and stress in trainee clinical psychologists: A mediating role of self-care

Objective: To investigate the role of self-care as a mediator in relationship of compassion satisfaction and stress in trainee clinical psychologists.Methodology: This correlational research included 200 female trainee clinical psychologists who were selected from public and private universities of Lahore, through convenient sampling. The study was carried out at Lahore Garrison University from November 2018 to July 2019. Participants were given Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQoL), Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-items (DASS).Results: Compassion satisfaction had significant positive correlation with mindful relaxation (p<0.01), physical care (p<0.05), self-compassion and purpose (p<0.01), supportive relationship (p<0.05), supportive structure (p<0.05), mindful awareness (p<0.05) and general self-care (p<0.05). It had significant negative association with stress (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation of supportive structure (p<0.05) and general self-care with stress (p<0.01) was seen. Self care mediated relationship in compassion satisfaction and stress in trainee clinical psychologists. Compassion satisfaction and general self-care were significant negative predictors of stress in trainee clinical psychologists (p<0.05).Conclusion: Self-care mediated in the relationship between compassion satisfaction and stress. It provided preliminary support to include self-care in the training curriculum in order to prevent stress in trainee clinical psychologists.