Trajectories and Interrelationships of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction Among Family Caregivers of Disabled Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis

AIMS: To explore the trajectories and interrelationships of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among family caregivers of older adults with disabilities over 6 months. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 264 family caregivers in Guangzhou, China. Latent growth modeling and cross-lagged panel analysis were used to assess changes and interrelationships among the variables. RESULTS: Of the 264 participants, 169 completed all waves. Burnout declined over time, while both compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction increased. Higher baseline compassion fatigue predicted subsequent higher burnout and lower compassion satisfaction. Initial burnout was associated with later compassion fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the complex dynamics of caregiving, as evidenced by a reduction in burnout and concurrent increases in both compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue over a 6-month period. The cyclical relationship between compassion fatigue and burnout underscores the need for timely interventions. Higher compassion satisfaction was concurrently correlated with lower burnout, emphasizing the importance of enhancing caregivers' sense of accomplishment. These results call for targeted support and policies to sustain caregiver well-being.