Compassionate self-care for nurses and midwives: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study
Background Awareness of being kind and compassionate to yourself is often overlooked despite emerging evidence that high levels of self-compassion decrease levels of anxiety and improves well-being. Aim To explore what being compassionate to yourself means to nurses and midwives and increase knowled...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025
|
| Online Access: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0897189725000886 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/98120 |
| Summary: | Background
Awareness of being kind and compassionate to yourself is often overlooked despite emerging evidence that high levels of self-compassion decrease levels of anxiety and improves well-being.
Aim
To explore what being compassionate to yourself means to nurses and midwives and increase knowledge and understanding of how self-compassion may enhance well-being.
Methods
Mixed methods study design was utilised to investigate and explore the influence of self-compassion on nurses and midwives' well-being. Phase 1 involved quantitative data collection and analysis. Phase 2 qualitative data were collected to expand on quantitative results.
Results
Fifty-four participants responded to a pre-workshop questionnaire, 55 completed immediate post-questionnaire, 28 completed a follow-up questionnaire six-eight weeks later. Five participants were interviewed to gain more insights of their experiences. Quantitative results showed significant increase in self-compassion scores immediately post-workshop, with an estimated improvement of 0.26 points (95 % CI: 0.14, 0.38, P < 0.001). Participants' anxiety significantly decreased by 0.5 units (95 % CI: −0.64, −0.36, P < 0.001). Mood changes were not statistically significant. Reflexive thematic analysis of qualitative data provided further insight into these changes resulting in three key themes: (1) “Awareness of self-compassion was the first step”, (2) “Care for yourself, before caring for others” (3) “Self-compassion strategies with everyday living activities”.
Conclusions
Self-compassion education can enhance nurses' and midwives' knowledge and understanding. Education can increase self-compassion strategies and skills to reduce anxiety levels. However, qualitative data confirmed the need for sustained reinforcement of self-compassion practices. Further research is recommended to confirm these initial findings and explore long-term impacts. |
|---|