Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 5

Research Paper - Essay Example Compassion fatigue refers to a stress condition which is characterised by gradual diminishing of compassion among care providers. The problem has been commonly diagnosed among individuals working directly with trauma victims from different societies. The condition is commonly characterised by hopelessness, negative attitude, constant anxiety and stress, and insomnia. This kind of stress becomes detrimental to the individuals both personally and professionally. Compassion fatigue results in individuals becoming less productive, and developing feelings of incompetence. As individuals involved in providing care to traumatised individuals, such feelings consequently cause the individuals to become cynical; hence reluctant in providing assistance (Slocum-Gori et al. 2013). The condition has commonly being referred as secondary traumatic stress (STS), because it results from an individual becoming stressed out of factors stressing others. Burnout refers to exhaustion which results from continued performance of work related responsibilities. The characteristics of burnout become visible following an individual’s continued long term exhaustion, which slowly makes the individual beginning diminishing interest in work. Burnout shows similar characteristics and effects like compassion fatigue and has been increasingly likened with compassion fatigue (Alkema et al. 2008). Psychologists have described compassion fatigues as a form of burnout experienced among caregivers, in facilities providing assistance to traumatised individuals. This research seeks to identify the various sources of compassion fatigue and burnout among individuals working within various organisations. These elements have continuous had detrimental effects on the individuals within the professional and personal perspectives. The article will seek to explore the causes and effects of these stress factors observed among individuals working within care