The Impact of Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction on Social Work Students

This study explores the impact of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction on social work students (n = 480) in field placements as compared with employed human service professionals (n = 186). The findings show that social work students experience lower levels of compassion fatigue than the professionals. However, student scores were consistent with the national sample of employed human service professionals. Students with higher levels of compassion satisfaction report lower levels of compassion fatigue. Findings indicate that compassion satisfaction can help to mitigate the negative impact of compassion fatigue. The findings support the need to incorporate preventative education and training throughout the social work curriculum that not only addresses the risks and symptoms of compassion fatigue but also focuses on the benefits of compassion satisfaction and self-care.