Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

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
https://izlik.org/JA76WY86BY

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

  • 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
https://izlik.org/JA76WY86BY

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
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Mental Health Services
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Sibel Polat Olca 0000-0002-6274-6989

Tuğba Şahin Tokatlıoğlu 0000-0003-2569-9906

Zeynep Eroğlu 0009-0007-5885-8017

Submission Date November 18, 2025
Acceptance Date February 9, 2026
Publication Date February 27, 2026
IZ https://izlik.org/JA76WY86BY
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 12 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Polat Olca, S., Şahin Tokatlıoğlu, T., & Eroğlu, Z. (2026). An Investigation into the Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Life Satisfaction Among Intensive Care Nurses. Aydın Sağlık Dergisi, 12(1), 11-25. https://izlik.org/JA76WY86BY

All site content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Common Attribution Licence. (CC-BY-NC 4.0)