Workload, Compassion Fatigue, Family Harmony, and Life Satisfaction among Social Workers: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract This study investigates the relationships among quantitative workload (QWL), compassion fatigue (CF), family harmony (FH), and life satisfaction (LS) among social welfare workers in Türkiye. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 453 participants and analyzed using structural equation modeling and moderation analysis with the PROCESS Macro. The results showed that QWL significantly predicted CF (β = .358, p < .001). CF, in turn, negatively predicted both FH (β = –.325, p < .001) and LS (β = –.332, p < .001), while FH positively predicted LS (β = .284, p < .001). Mediation analyses revealed that QWL indirectly affected FH via CF (β = –.116, p < .001) and sequentially affected LS through both CF and FH (β = –.143, p < .001). Additionally, CF indirectly influenced LS via FH (β = –.092, p < .001). Moreover, gender, work experience, and decision-making authority significantly moderated several of these relationships. These results underscore the importance of addressing emotional exhaustion and work‒life balance to support the well-being of social service professionals.