The Emotional Labor And Compassion Fatigue: Concerning Issues Among Mental Health Practitioners

Abstract

In this fast-paced world, mental health is at a greater toll due to the continuous pressure of excellence. Every other person suffers from anxiety, stress, or depression. Emotional labor is common among mental health professionals, and with extended practice, they are more prone to compassion fatigue and job burnout. This study investigates the relationship between emotional labor and compassion fatigue among mental health practitioners by considering the demographic factors (age, gender, qualifications, and experience) that may affect this relationship. This study employed a cross-sectional design to survey mental health practitioners. The sample (N = 117) comprised male (n = 50) and female (n = 67) professionals within the age range of 24 to 61 years. Participants were selected from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and community health centers in collaboration with department administrators. Measures of the Emotional Labor Scale (Brotheridge & Lee, 2023) and Compassion Fatigue Short Scale (Adams et al., 2008) were used to assess the study variables. Results showed that Emotional labor was positively associated with compassion fatigue. Female professionals exhibited higher emotional labor and compassion fatigue levels than their male counterparts. Mental health professionals with extended job experience exhibit lower levels of emotional labor and compassion fatigue than those with less experience in the mental health field. Moreover, the results indicated that professionals older in age expressed a lower level of emotional labor than those in the younger age group. The strategies deduced should create a supportive environment addressing the diverse factors affecting emotional well-being in this context.