Work

The impact of compassion fatigue and work-life balance on life satisfaction: A study of healthcare professionals in Türkiye

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Healthcare professionals are frequently exposed to intense emotional demands that may lead to compassion fatigue. Challenges in maintaining work–life balance also play a significant role in shaping life satisfaction. Yet, studies examining their combined effects on healthcare professionals’ life satisfaction remain limited. Objective This study aims to examine the impact of compassion fatigue and work-life balance on the life satisfaction of healthcare professionals. Methods This cross-sectional quantitative study collected data from 301 healthcare workers at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital in Türkiye, using validated psychometric scales. Analyses included reliability testing, normality assessment, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results Changes in life satisfaction were 11% attributable to compassion fatigue (R 2 = 0.115). The occupational burnout subdimension negatively affected life satisfaction (ß = −0.363; t = −4.060; p < 0.001), with each unit increase resulting in a 0.175-point decrease in life satisfaction. Nine percent of the variation in life satisfaction (R 2 = 0.099) was explained by the positive impact of work on life (ß = 0.190; t = 2.739; p = 0.007) and the positive impact of life on work (ß = 0.155; t = 2.377; p = 0.018). However, the negative impact of work on life caused a 0.132-point reduction in life satisfaction (ß = −0.151; t = −2.385; p = 0.018). Overall, compassion fatigue and work-life balance together explained 12% of the variation in life satisfaction (R 2 = 0.125; F = 21.332; p < 0.001). Conclusion Findings underscore the importance of alleviating emotional burden and implementing institutional policies that support work–life balance to enhance healthcare professionals’ life satisfaction. However, because this study was conducted in a single hospital and employed a convenience sampling method, generalizability of the results is limited.

Source: Work

DOI: 10.1177/10519815251410103

Authors: Fatma Çiftçi Kıraç, Melek Yağcı Özen, Ramazan Kıraç, Selman Seyfioğlu

Institutions: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

Language: English

Topic: Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,150