An Investigation into the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Life Satisfaction Among Intensive Care Nurses
Year 2026,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 11 - 25, 27.02.2026
Sibel Polat Olca
,
Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu
,
Zeynep Eroğlu
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and life satisfaction among intensive care nurses and to evaluate the effects of sociodemographic and professional factors on these variables. A descriptive and cross-sectional design was adopted. The study was conducted with a sample of 108 intensive care nurses working in nine ICUs at a Training and Research Hospital. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Participants reported moderate levels of both self-compassion (mean = 2.68 ± 0.37) and life satisfaction (mean = 13.23 ± 4.06). A significant positive correlation was found between total self-compassion and life satisfaction (r = 0.261, p = 0.006). Among the subdimensions, self-kindness and mindfulness showed the strongest positive associations with life satisfaction, whereas self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification were negatively correlated. Significant differences in self-compassion scores were observed based on educational level and working pattern (p < 0.05). Self-compassion appears to be an important psychological resource that positively contributes to life satisfaction among intensive care nurses. Enhancing self-compassion through individual or institutional interventions may improve nurses' psychological well-being and overall quality of life.
Ethical Statement
Ethics Committee permission to conduct the study was obtained from SANKO University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee (Date 06.03.2023/No: 2023/02-02).
Supporting Institution
No funding or support in this study not used.
Thanks
We would like to thank all our intensive care nurses who participated in our work.
References
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Akın, Ü., Akın, A., & Abacı, R. (2007). Öz-duyarlılık Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik
çalışması [Self-Compassion Scale: The study of validity and reliability].
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 33, 1–10.
-
Abacı, R., & Arda, D. (2013). Relationship between self-compassion and job
satisfaction in white collar workers. Procedia - Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 106, 2241–2247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.255
-
Alquwez, N., Cruz, J. P., Al Thobaity, A., Almazan, J., Alabdulaziz, H., Alshammari,
F., Albloushi, M., Tumala, R., & Albougami, A. (2021). Self-compassion
influences the caring behaviour and compassion competence among Saudi
nursing students: A multi-university study. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2732–2742.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1004
-
Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, R., Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, R., Dustmohammadloo,
H., Bouzari, P., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Self-compassion,
work engagement and job performance among intensive care nurses
during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediation role of mental health and the
moderating role of gender. Healthcare, 11, 1884. https://doi.org/10.3390/
healthcare11131884
-
Baker, L. R., & McNulty, J. K. (2011). Self-compassion and relationship maintenance:
The moderating roles of conscientiousness and gender. Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology, 100(5), 853–873. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021884
-
Boellinghaus, I., Jones, F. W., & Hutton, J. (2012). The role of mindfulness and
loving-kindness meditation in cultivating self-compassion and other-focused
concern in health care professionals. Mindfulness, 5(2), 129–138. https://
doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0158-6
-
Çınar, Ö., & Özyılmaz, F. (2019). Relationship between job satisfaction and life
satisfaction: An application for Bayburt University. Igdır University Journal of Social Sciences, 17, 533–556.
-
Çınar, F., & Eti Aslan, F. (2017). Spiritualism and nursing: The importance of
spiritual care in intensive care patients. Journal of Academic Research in
Nursing, 3(1), 37–42. https://doi.org/10.5222/jaren.2017.037
-
Duarte, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Cruz, B. (2016). Relationships between nurses’
empathy, self-compassion and dimensions of professional quality of life: A
cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 60, 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.02.015
-
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction
With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://
doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
-
Esin, M. N., & Sezgin, D. (2017). Intensive care unit workforce: Occupational
health and safety. In M. R. Pinsky (Ed.), Intensive care.IntechOpen. https://
doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.68308
-
Franjic, D., & Franjic, I. (2022). Life satisfaction and quality of life among nurses
of COVID-19 Hospital of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Nursing
Journal, 27(1), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.27.1.4
-
Gerber, Z., & Anaki, D. (2021). The role of self-compassion, concern for others,
and basic psychological needs in the reduction of caregiving burnout.
Mindfulness, 12, 741–750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01549-6
-
Gozalo, R. G., Tarrés, J. F., Ayora, A. A., Herrero, M. A., Kareaga, A. A., & Roca,
R. F. (2019). Application of a mindfulness program among healthcare
professionals in an intensive care unit: Effect on burnout, empathy and selfcompassion.
Medicina Intensiva (English Edition), 43(4), 207–216. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.medine.2018.04.006
-
Joy, G. V., Alomari, A. M. A., Singh, K., Hassan, N., Mannethodi, K., Kunjavara,
J., & Al Lenjawi, B. (2023). Nurses' self-esteem, self-compassion and
psychological resilience during COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Open, 10(7),
4404–4412. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1803
-
Kim, H. S., & Yeom, H. A. (2018). The association between spiritual well-being
and burnout in intensive care unit nurses: A descriptive study. Intensive and
Critical Care Nursing, 46, 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.11.005
-
Kołtuniuk, A., Kazimierska Zając, M., Cisek, K., & Chojdak Łukasiewicz, J.
(2021). The role of stress perception and coping with stress and the quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients. Psychology Research and Behavior
Management, 14, 805–815. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S310664
-
Kotera, Y., & Van Gordon, W. (2021). Effects of self-compassion training on
work-related well-being: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12,
630798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.630798
-
Köker, S. (1991). Normal ve sorunlu ergenlerin yaşam doyumu düzeylerinin
karşılaştırılması (Yayımlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Ankara Üniversitesi,
Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Ankara.
-
Kutlu, O., Ermin, C., & Aygin, D. (2020). The relationship evaluation of intensive
care nurses’ spiritual well-being and spiritual care perceptions. Sakarya
University Journal of Holistic Health, 3(3), 130–142.
-
Lu, F., Xu, Y., Yu, Y., Peng, L., Wu, T., Wang, T., ... & Li, M. (2019). Moderating
effect of mindfulness on the relationships between perceived stress and
mental health outcomes among Chinese intensive care nurses. Frontiers in
Psychiatry, 10, 260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00260
-
Mohammadi, S., Borhani, F., & Roshanzadeh, L. (2014). Moral distress and
compassion fatigue in patient care: A correlational study on nurses. Iranian
Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 7(2), 45–53.
-
Medeni, V., Topcu, V., Bozdağ, F., & Medeni, İ. (2025). Chronic disease risk factors
among hospital employees: A cross-sectional study in Türkiye. PLoS ONE,
20(1), e0302910. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302910
-
Neff, K. D. (2003) The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion.
Self and identity, 2(3), 223-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027
-
Neff, K. D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two
different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality, 77(1), 23–50.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00537.x
-
Othman, S. Y., Hassan, N. I., & Mohamed, A. M. (2023). Effectiveness of
mindfulness-based interventions on burnout and self-compassion among
critical care nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: A quasi-experimental
study. BMC Nursing, 22, 305. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01569-w
-
Razaghpour, H., Rejeh, N., Heravi, K. M., & Tadrisi, S. D. (2021). The study of
relationship between self-compassion and job stress of nurses in intensive
care units. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research, 16(3), 65–72.
-
Reizer, A. (2019). Bringing self-kindness into the workplace: Exploring the mediating role of self-compassion in the associations between attachment
and organizational outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1148. https://doi.
org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01148
-
Sinclair, S., Kondejewski, J., Raffin-Bouchal, S., King-Shier, K. M., & Singh,
P. (2017). Can self-compassion promote healthcare provider well-being
and compassionate care to others? Results of a systematic review. Applied
Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 9(2), 168–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/
aphw.12086
-
Viskovich, S., & De George-Walker, L. (2019). An investigation of self-care
related constructs in undergraduate psychology students: Self-compassion,
mindfulness, self-awareness, and integrated self-knowledge. International
Journal of Educational Research, 95, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ijer.2019.02.003
-
Yang, Y., Zhang, M., & Kou, Y. (2016). Self-compassion and life satisfaction: The
mediating role of hope. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 91–95.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.086
-
Yıldırımalp, S., Öner, M., & Yenihan, B. (2014). Hemşirelerin iş aile çatışması ve
yaşam tatmini düzeyleri: Demografik özellikler açısından bir değerlendirme.
Siyaset, Ekonomi ve Yönetim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2(3), 165–182.
-
Zessin, U., Dickhäuser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015). The relationship between selfcompassion
and well-being: A meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: Health
and Well-Being, 7(3), 340–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12051
-
Zhang, Y., Rasheed, M. I., & Luqman, A. (2020). Work–family conflict and
turnover intentions among Chinese nurses: The combined role of job and
life satisfaction and perceived supervisor support. Personnel Review, 49(5),
1140–1156. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-12-2018-0503
Yoğun Bakım Hemşirelerinde Öz-Şefkat ve Yaşam Doyumu Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi
Year 2026,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 11 - 25, 27.02.2026
Sibel Polat Olca
,
Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu
,
Zeynep Eroğlu
Abstract
Bu çalışmada yoğun bakım hemşirelerinde öz-şefkat ile yaşam doyumu arasındaki ilişkinin araştırılması ve sosyodemografik ve mesleki faktörlerin bu değişkenler üzerindeki etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel bir araştırma deseni benimsenmiştir. Çalışma, bir Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi'nde bulunan dokuz yoğun bakım ünitesinde çalışan 108 yoğun bakım hemşiresinden oluşan bir örneklem ile yürütülmüştür. Veriler Öz-Şefkat Ölçeği, Yaşam Doyumu Ölçeği ve Sosyodemografik Anket kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların hem öz-şefkat (ortalam =2,68 ± 0,37) hem de yaşam doyumu (ortalama=13,23 ± 4,06) puan ortalamalarının orta düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Toplam öz-şefkat ile yaşam doyumu puanları arasında anlamlı ve pozitif bir korelasyon bulunmuştur (r=0,261, p=0,006). Alt boyutlar arasında öz şefkat ve farkındalık, yaşam memnuniyetiyle en güçlü pozitif ilişkiyi gösterirken, öz yargılama, izolasyon ve aşırı özdeşleşme negatif korelasyon göstermiştir. Öz şefkat puanlarında eğitim düzeyi ve çalışma düzenine göre anlamlı farklılıklar gözlenmiştir (p<0,05). Öz şefkat, yoğun bakım hemşireleri arasında yaşam memnuniyetine olumlu katkıda bulunan önemli bir psikolojik kaynak gibi görünmektedir. Öz şefkatin bireysel veya kurumsal müdahalelerle artırılması, hemşirelerin psikolojik iyilik halini ve genel yaşam kalitesini iyileştirebilir.
Ethical Statement
Çalışmanın yürütülmesi için Etik Kurul izni SANKO Üniversitesi Girişimsel Olmayan Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’ndan (Tarih: 06.03.2023/No: 2023/02-02) alınmıştır.
Supporting Institution
Çalışma, herhangi bir kurum tarafından desteklenmemiştir.
Thanks
Çalışmamıza katılan tüm yoğun bakım hemşirelerine teşekkürlerimizi sunarız.
References
-
Akın, Ü., Akın, A., & Abacı, R. (2007). Öz-duyarlılık Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik
çalışması [Self-Compassion Scale: The study of validity and reliability].
Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 33, 1–10.
-
Abacı, R., & Arda, D. (2013). Relationship between self-compassion and job
satisfaction in white collar workers. Procedia - Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 106, 2241–2247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.255
-
Alquwez, N., Cruz, J. P., Al Thobaity, A., Almazan, J., Alabdulaziz, H., Alshammari,
F., Albloushi, M., Tumala, R., & Albougami, A. (2021). Self-compassion
influences the caring behaviour and compassion competence among Saudi
nursing students: A multi-university study. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2732–2742.
https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1004
-
Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, R., Bahrami Nejad Joneghani, R., Dustmohammadloo,
H., Bouzari, P., Ebrahimi, P., & Fekete-Farkas, M. (2023). Self-compassion,
work engagement and job performance among intensive care nurses
during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediation role of mental health and the
moderating role of gender. Healthcare, 11, 1884. https://doi.org/10.3390/
healthcare11131884
-
Baker, L. R., & McNulty, J. K. (2011). Self-compassion and relationship maintenance:
The moderating roles of conscientiousness and gender. Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology, 100(5), 853–873. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021884
-
Boellinghaus, I., Jones, F. W., & Hutton, J. (2012). The role of mindfulness and
loving-kindness meditation in cultivating self-compassion and other-focused
concern in health care professionals. Mindfulness, 5(2), 129–138. https://
doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0158-6
-
Çınar, Ö., & Özyılmaz, F. (2019). Relationship between job satisfaction and life
satisfaction: An application for Bayburt University. Igdır University Journal of Social Sciences, 17, 533–556.
-
Çınar, F., & Eti Aslan, F. (2017). Spiritualism and nursing: The importance of
spiritual care in intensive care patients. Journal of Academic Research in
Nursing, 3(1), 37–42. https://doi.org/10.5222/jaren.2017.037
-
Duarte, J., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Cruz, B. (2016). Relationships between nurses’
empathy, self-compassion and dimensions of professional quality of life: A
cross-sectional study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 60, 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.02.015
-
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction
With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://
doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
-
Esin, M. N., & Sezgin, D. (2017). Intensive care unit workforce: Occupational
health and safety. In M. R. Pinsky (Ed.), Intensive care.IntechOpen. https://
doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.68308
-
Franjic, D., & Franjic, I. (2022). Life satisfaction and quality of life among nurses
of COVID-19 Hospital of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Nursing
Journal, 27(1), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.11608/sgnj.27.1.4
-
Gerber, Z., & Anaki, D. (2021). The role of self-compassion, concern for others,
and basic psychological needs in the reduction of caregiving burnout.
Mindfulness, 12, 741–750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01549-6
-
Gozalo, R. G., Tarrés, J. F., Ayora, A. A., Herrero, M. A., Kareaga, A. A., & Roca,
R. F. (2019). Application of a mindfulness program among healthcare
professionals in an intensive care unit: Effect on burnout, empathy and selfcompassion.
Medicina Intensiva (English Edition), 43(4), 207–216. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.medine.2018.04.006
-
Joy, G. V., Alomari, A. M. A., Singh, K., Hassan, N., Mannethodi, K., Kunjavara,
J., & Al Lenjawi, B. (2023). Nurses' self-esteem, self-compassion and
psychological resilience during COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Open, 10(7),
4404–4412. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1803
-
Kim, H. S., & Yeom, H. A. (2018). The association between spiritual well-being
and burnout in intensive care unit nurses: A descriptive study. Intensive and
Critical Care Nursing, 46, 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.11.005
-
Kołtuniuk, A., Kazimierska Zając, M., Cisek, K., & Chojdak Łukasiewicz, J.
(2021). The role of stress perception and coping with stress and the quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients. Psychology Research and Behavior
Management, 14, 805–815. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S310664
-
Kotera, Y., & Van Gordon, W. (2021). Effects of self-compassion training on
work-related well-being: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12,
630798. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.630798
-
Köker, S. (1991). Normal ve sorunlu ergenlerin yaşam doyumu düzeylerinin
karşılaştırılması (Yayımlanmamış yüksek lisans tezi). Ankara Üniversitesi,
Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Ankara.
-
Kutlu, O., Ermin, C., & Aygin, D. (2020). The relationship evaluation of intensive
care nurses’ spiritual well-being and spiritual care perceptions. Sakarya
University Journal of Holistic Health, 3(3), 130–142.
-
Lu, F., Xu, Y., Yu, Y., Peng, L., Wu, T., Wang, T., ... & Li, M. (2019). Moderating
effect of mindfulness on the relationships between perceived stress and
mental health outcomes among Chinese intensive care nurses. Frontiers in
Psychiatry, 10, 260. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00260
-
Mohammadi, S., Borhani, F., & Roshanzadeh, L. (2014). Moral distress and
compassion fatigue in patient care: A correlational study on nurses. Iranian
Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 7(2), 45–53.
-
Medeni, V., Topcu, V., Bozdağ, F., & Medeni, İ. (2025). Chronic disease risk factors
among hospital employees: A cross-sectional study in Türkiye. PLoS ONE,
20(1), e0302910. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302910
-
Neff, K. D. (2003) The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion.
Self and identity, 2(3), 223-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027
-
Neff, K. D., & Vonk, R. (2009). Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two
different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality, 77(1), 23–50.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00537.x
-
Othman, S. Y., Hassan, N. I., & Mohamed, A. M. (2023). Effectiveness of
mindfulness-based interventions on burnout and self-compassion among
critical care nurses caring for patients with COVID-19: A quasi-experimental
study. BMC Nursing, 22, 305. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01569-w
-
Razaghpour, H., Rejeh, N., Heravi, K. M., & Tadrisi, S. D. (2021). The study of
relationship between self-compassion and job stress of nurses in intensive
care units. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research, 16(3), 65–72.
-
Reizer, A. (2019). Bringing self-kindness into the workplace: Exploring the mediating role of self-compassion in the associations between attachment
and organizational outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1148. https://doi.
org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01148
-
Sinclair, S., Kondejewski, J., Raffin-Bouchal, S., King-Shier, K. M., & Singh,
P. (2017). Can self-compassion promote healthcare provider well-being
and compassionate care to others? Results of a systematic review. Applied
Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 9(2), 168–206. https://doi.org/10.1111/
aphw.12086
-
Viskovich, S., & De George-Walker, L. (2019). An investigation of self-care
related constructs in undergraduate psychology students: Self-compassion,
mindfulness, self-awareness, and integrated self-knowledge. International
Journal of Educational Research, 95, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ijer.2019.02.003
-
Yang, Y., Zhang, M., & Kou, Y. (2016). Self-compassion and life satisfaction: The
mediating role of hope. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 91–95.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.086
-
Yıldırımalp, S., Öner, M., & Yenihan, B. (2014). Hemşirelerin iş aile çatışması ve
yaşam tatmini düzeyleri: Demografik özellikler açısından bir değerlendirme.
Siyaset, Ekonomi ve Yönetim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2(3), 165–182.
-
Zessin, U., Dickhäuser, O., & Garbade, S. (2015). The relationship between selfcompassion
and well-being: A meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: Health
and Well-Being, 7(3), 340–364. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12051
-
Zhang, Y., Rasheed, M. I., & Luqman, A. (2020). Work–family conflict and
turnover intentions among Chinese nurses: The combined role of job and
life satisfaction and perceived supervisor support. Personnel Review, 49(5),
1140–1156. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-12-2018-0503