Compassion and Suppression in Caregivers: Twin Masks of Tragedy and Joy of Caring

This study evaluated the relationships between demographic and career variables, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and defense mechanisms among 250 caregivers. It found that greater compassion satisfaction was linked to more years of study and fewer working days per week, while burnout and secondary traumatic stress were associated with older age, more working hours, and more working days. The use of defense mechanisms like repression and rationalization was higher with more working days and hours, and these mechanisms were linked to increased secondary traumatic stress. Conversely, compassion satisfaction was associated with less use of these defense mechanisms, suggesting it could help mitigate emotional exhaustion in caregivers.