Work

Kindergarten teachers’ compassion fatigue: decreasing with empathic ability or empathic motivation or both?

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Compassion fatigue, often referred to as the "cost of caring," reflects a form of empathy deficit. However, it remains unclear whether it stems from a diminishment in empathic ability, empathic motivation, or both. To address this gap, we developed a hierarchical regression and structural equation model using survey data from 1,161 kindergarten teachers. The findings revealed that both empathic ability and empathic motivation significantly and negatively predicted compassion fatigue. Specifically, job burnout was negatively predicted by both empathic ability and empathic motivation, whereas secondary stress was negatively predicted by empathic motivation but not by empathic ability. Theoretical and practical implications, along with directions for future research, are discussed.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1717699

Authors: Fangyan Chen, Wenjun Xu, Yabo Ge, Weijian Li

Institutions: Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua University of Vocational Technology

Language: English

Topic: Stress and Burnout Research

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801