Project: Compassion fatigue, satisfaction and EP workplace stress
This project looks to understand the influence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and workplace stress on educational psychologists’ working practices.
How you can help
We are seeking qualified educational psychologists to take part in an online survey exploring their working patterns, and experiences of workplace stress and compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction.
The survey takes between 30-40 minutes to complete.
Research team
- Dr Alexandra Sewell (Principal investigator) – Educational Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at University of Worcester
- Dr Peter Gossman – Principal lecturer at University of Worcester
- Dr Fi Coley – Educational Psychologist and tutor at UCL Institute of Education
- Dr Jane Park – Educational Psychologist at Telford Local Authority
Project background and focus
The role of the educational psychologist is anecdotally touted as stressful. It is also rewarding as it offers many opportunities to help others. There is limited research exploring either of these factors and how they may influence EP working practices. Understanding the influence and interplay between the two will enable the development of positive working environments for educational psychologists.
Compassion is a key interpersonal skill for those in helping professions. The experience of compassion supports us in connecting with others, forging deep and meaningful connections. This facilitates positive outcomes for those we help. However, compassion can also play a critical role in how professionals support themselves, especially in the face of workplace stressors.
Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction are psychological constructs originating from the nursing research literature. Compassion satisfaction refers to the positive emotions and thoughts that arise from helping others and feeling deeply for them. It can positively moderate experiences of workplace stress. Compassion fatigue is characterised by emotional and physical fatigue, workplace-based burnout, and a reduced capacity to feel compassion for others. It can negatively affect a person’s work, such as leading to a desire to leave the helping professions.
The phenomena of compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction has been extensively researched in medical professional populations. It is yet to be researched with educational psychologists. This research shall explore educational psychologists’ experiences of compassion, workplace stress, and the relationship between workplace practices.
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