The relationship between self-compassion and caring behaviour in nurses: A cross-sectional study

AimTo examine the relationship between self-compassion and caring behaviour in nurses.BackgroundSelf-compassion can influence nurses' ability to cope with stress and their job performance. High levels of self-compassion may play a role in nurses' coping with compassion fatigue and burnout. This may make the concept of self-compassion in nurses an important variable for effective care.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study. Study data were collected between March and May 2022 from 331 nurses at a hospital in the city of Antalya, Turkey. A personal information form, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Caring Behaviour Inventory-24 (CBI-24) were used to collect data, and the program SPSS 23.0 was used in data evaluation. Descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of data. The STROBE checklist was followed for this cross-sectional study.ResultsThe nurses' mean scores were 3.50 +/- 0.61 on SCS and 5.21 +/- 0.56 on CBI-24. A positive correlation was found between the nurses' self-compassion levels and caring behaviour. Also, the SCS sub-dimension of mindfulness, working in intensive care and working willingly in the nursing profession significantly predicted caring behaviour. These variables explain 19.4% of the variance of caring behaviour.ConclusionsThe nurses' self-compassion levels were medium and their caring behaviour was at a high level, and caring behaviour was higher in those who worked in intensive care, those who were working willingly in the nursing profession, and in those with high scores on the self-compassion sub-dimension of mindfulness.Implications for nursing and health policyIt is important to strengthen nurses' self-compassion skills to develop their caring behaviour. In particular, giving nurses in clinics mindfulness-based education will help them to increase their awareness concerning their own lives and to develop their caring behaviour.