Compassion fatigue, emotional labor, and emotional display among hospice nurses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between compassion fatigue, emotional labor, and emotional display among hospice nurses. The hospice nurses indicated the emotional labor they utilize is primarily suppressing both positive and negative affect. Compassion fatigue was positively associated with expressing negative emotions, faking negative emotions, negative display rule perceptions, and surface acting, and negatively associated with suppressing negative emotions. Interventions and policies that foster greater authenticity and support emotional regulation may help reduce compassion fatigue among hospice nurses.