Relationships Between Positive and Negative Attributes of Self-Compassion and Perceived Caring Efficacy Among Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses

The purpose of this correlational quantitative study was to examine the relationships between work-related demographic variables, self-compassion, and perceived caring efficacy among psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs), as measured using the Self-Compassion Scale and Caring Efficacy Scale. Participants were RNs actively working in psychiatric-mental health settings in the United States who are currently members of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Results suggest PMHNs with high levels of positive attributes of self-compassion had higher perceived levels of caring efficacy and those with high levels of negative attributes of self-compassion had lower perceived levels of caring efficacy. No statistically significant relationships were found between demographic variables, such as years of work experience, nurse:patient ratio, and perceived level of caring efficacy. The knowledge of the association between attributes of self- compassion and perceived caring efficacy can provide nurses with improved awareness of the need to be compassionate to the self and its relationship to effectiveness of care provided, potentially leading to positive health outcomes in clients.