Mediating effect of self-efficacy between social support and compassion fatigue among Geriatric Services and Management interns: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of social support on CF and further clarify the mediating role of self-efficacy among Geriatric Services and Management interns. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study examined social support, self-efficacy and CF in 592 interns in Geriatric Services and Management from 46 institutions in China. RESULT: The level of CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns is low but about one-third of the respondents is at high risk of CF. Social support was positively correlated with self-efficacy (ß = 0.114, P < 0.01). Social support significantly reduced CF (ß = -0.322, P < 0.01). Similarly, self-efficacy had significant direct effects on CF (ß = -0.497, P < 0.01). Additionally, self-efficacy played a partial mediating role in the relationship between social support and CF. CONCLUSION: Social support can directly affect the CF of Geriatric Services and Management interns and indirectly through self-efficacy. Accordingly, It is necessary to strengthen social support and self-efficacy to relieve CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns.