Compassion fatigue : understanding and transforming the cost of caring

Abstract

Compassion fatigue represents a profound occupational hazard for helping professionals whose work involves sustained exposure to others’ suffering. Distinct from burnout, compassion fatigue arises from empathic engagement with clients or patients and manifests as emotional, cognitive, behavioural, spiritual, and physical exhaustion. This paper offers a practice-focused theoretical reflection integrating research and professional experience. Drawing on the work of Figley (1993, 1995), Radey and Figley (2007), and subsequent scholars, it explores the nature, causes, and manifestations of compassion fatigue, contrasts it with burnout, and proposes strategies for transforming compassion fatigue into compassion satisfaction. Emphasis is placed on self-care, peer support, organisational culture, and leadership responsibility in fostering flourishing and resilience among professionals.