Relationship between Compassion Fatigue and Optimism among Family Caregivers of Children with Autism | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Health Care | ||
| Volume 15, Issue 2, June 2024, Pages 1686-1698 PDF (514.65 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhc.2024.381019 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Nora Said Mohamed1; Omima Abu bakr Osman2; Asmaa Hafez Afify3; Asmaa Mohamed Khalifa4 | ||
| 1Demonstrator of Psychiatric /Mental Health Nursing, Ain Shams University. | ||
| 2Professor of Psychiatric /Mental Health Nursing, Ain Shams University. | ||
| 3Assist. Professor of Psychiatric /Mental Health Nursing, Ain Shams University. | ||
| 4Lecturer of psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing, Ain Shams University. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Providing care for children with autism may negatively affect psychological, physical, and social aspects and quality of life among their family caregivers. Optimism is important in improving overall well-being by helping them have a positive attitude regarding their child's future health. Aim of the study: To assess the relationship between compassion fatigue and optimism among family caregivers of children with autism. Research design: A descriptive relational design. Setting: The study was applied at the autism unit in the faculty of postgraduate childhood studies affiliated with Ain Shams University. Subjects: A purposive sample of 200 family caregivers caring for children with autism. Data collection tool: 1) Structured interview questionnaire; 2) Clinical data sheet; 3) Professional Quality of Life Scale; and 4) Life Orientation Test-Revised scale. Results: The present study showed that 56.5% of the studied family caregivers of children with autism had an average level of total compassion fatigue and 47.5% of them had a low optimism level/ high pessimism. In addition, there was no statistically significant correlation between total compassion fatigue and optimism among caregivers of children with autism (P > 0.05). Conclusion: More than half of family caregivers of children with autism had an average level of total compassion fatigue, and slightly less than half of them had low optimism/high pessimism. There was no statistically significant correlation between total compassion fatigue and optimism among family caregivers of children with autism. Recommendations: Establishing an educational program for family caregivers of children with autism to raise their coping styles as well as enhance their psychological resilience to deal with burden of caregiving. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Autism spectrum disorders (ASD); compassion fatigue; optimism; Family caregivers of children with autism (FCCA) | ||
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