Compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among residential child care workers

This study examined the risk level for compassion fatigue and burnout, as well as the potential for compassion satisfaction, among child care workers who work with children in residential care.; A sample of 56 residential child care workers from an agency in Orange County completed the Compassion Satisfaction/Fatigue Self-Test for Helpers, along with a questionnaire to obtain demographic information.; Results of the study indicated that on the average, the respondents were at moderate risk for compassion fatigue, low risk for burnout, and had good potential for compassion satisfaction. Child care workers employed in the level 14 residential treatment center were found to be at greater risk for compassion fatigue and had less potential for compassion satisfaction. Respondents with no personal experience with trauma were found to be at greater risk for burnout. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.