COMPASSION FATIGUE AND THE SENSE OF COHERENCE IN CAREGIVERS WORKING WITH SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN IN SOWETO
Date
2006-11-16T09:33:03Z
Authors
Nene, Nokulunga
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to contribute to literature the effects of working with
traumatized children in a continuous traumatic stress environment more specifically in a
township which is historically known as characterised by criminal activities and political
oppression, Soweto. The study investigates the levels of compassion fatigue and the sense
of coherence of caregivers working in a continuous traumatic stress environment.
Working with trauma victims especially children who are perceived as vulnerable and
helpless may leave caregivers with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, anger
towards the perpetrators or anger toward the parents for being unable to protect the
children. Caregivers may view the environment as unsafe for both their own children and
the traumatized children that they treat. These emotions may lead to compassion fatigue,
meaning that the caregiver’s relationships at home and work become affected due to
trauma work. The caregiver’s ability to manage or cope with a stressful situation may
also be affected causing their levels of the sense of coherence to be compromised. This
study investigated the levels of compassion fatigue and the sense of coherence among
caregivers who work with sexually abused children in Soweto. Compassion fatigue was
assessed by using the Compassion Fatigue Scale (CFS) (Figley, 1995, Stamm, 1996). The
sense of coherence was measured by the Orientation to Life Questionnaire (OLQ)
Antonvosky (1987). The sample group consisted of 25 caregivers working in Soweto.
These included nurses, teachers, counsellors and social workers from this area.
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Results of the study indicated that the majority of the respondents manifested an
extremely high risk of compassion fatigue based on the high scores they obtained on the
Compassion Fatigue Scale. Interestingly the levels of the sense of coherence for the
majority of the participants were also high, which contradicts previous findings. Findings
from the qualitative data revealed positive and negative emotions related to the nature of
their work. It also became apparent that caregivers with limited resources become
frustrated and manifested feelings of inadequacy due to poor referral systems and there
was no feedback from other organisation that deal with the children they worked with.
Leaving caregivers with feelings of isolation. It also emerged that caregivers used a
range of coping strategies in dealing with stressful situations.
Description
Faculty of Humanities
School of Human and Community Development
0206924r
nenelunga@hotmail.com
Keywords
children, stress, risk, fatigue, criminal