Investigating the Role of Emotional Exhaustion on Self-Compassion in Nurses with the Mediation of Empathy during the Outbreak of COVID-۱۹

Background: The outbreak of COVID-۱۹ has put more pressure on the medical staff.Objectives: The current study was performed to determine the role of emotional exhaustion on self-compassion in nurses via the mediation of empathy during the outbreak of COVID-۱۹.Methods: The present study was a descriptive and analytical study conducted on ۱۵۰ nurses working in Al-Zahra and Kashani hospitals in Isfahan, Iran in ۲۰۲۱. The data were collected by three standard questionnaires of Emotional exhaustion (Chen), Self-compassion (Neff), and Empathy (Davis) and were analyzed in SPSS version ۲۴ and LISREL۸ software.Results: The results of the study revealed that the three variables of self-compassion, empathy and emotional exhaustion are not significantly different according to the demographic characteristics of nurses (P>۰.۰۵). There was a direct and significant relationship between empathy and emotional exhaustion (P<۰.۰۵). Ultimately, the proposed model has a good fit and in the direct and indirect relationships of the model, the role of empathy as a mediator between emotional exhaustion and self-compassion is confirmed.Conclusion: In line with the obtained results, it is suggested that considering the spread of a deadly infectious disease, appropriate educational measures and strategies should be implemented to promote or boost the spirit of empathy among health sector employees, especially nurses.

Keywords:

emotional exhaustion , self-compassion , Empathy , Nurse , COVID-۱۹