The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion Between Mindfulness and Compassion Fatigue Among Therapists

The objective of this research was to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between mindfulness and compassion in therapists. This research was applied and descriptive correlational. Psychotherapists, counselors, and mental health specialists with a minimum of one year of therapy experience, who resided in Iran from July to December 2022 and had access to social media, comprised the research population. 300 individuals were selected through the available sampling method via members of groups and pages of social networks related to psychology and counseling. Specifically, 300 individuals were selected. Scales of compassion fatigue (CFST), mindfulness (FMQ), and self-compassion scale (SCS) comprised the research instruments. Data analysis was conducted using path analysis method using via SPSS 26 and Lisrel 7.8. The fit indices that were obtained demonstrated that the model was well-suited to the data. The findings indicated that compassion fatigue is both directly and indirectly predicted by mindfulness. The indirect path of self-awareness through kindness to self-awareness and human commonalities with self-compassion was significant and showed the mediating role of all three components of self-compassion in the relationship between self-awareness and fatigue caused by compassion. According to research findings, mindfulness in therapists has a protective effect against psychological issues, resulting in reduced fatigue and increased self-compassion. Additionally, it is less likely that they perceive themselves as identical to the thoughts and feelings they experience.