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The Relationship Between the Supervision Role to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Genetic Counseling

Allsbrook, Katlin

Abstract Details

2015, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Genetic Counseling.
The majority of genetic counselors provide supervision to students at some point during their career. Previous studies have shown that genetic counselors, in general, are at moderate to high risk for compassion fatigue and that certain factors such as inherent anxiety increase this risk. However, no studies have explored the relationship between job duties such as supervision and the development of compassion fatigue and burnout in genetic counselors. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in compassion fatigue and burnout levels in genetic counselors who supervise compared to genetic counselors who do not. Genetic counselors who currently practice in a clinical setting (N=391) completed an online survey containing demographic questions, the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and questions specific to genetic counselor’s experiences with supervision. Results indicated that genetic counselors who identified as supervisors had significantly lower levels of compassion satisfaction as compared to non-supervisors (p=0.026). However, no difference was found between the two groups when controlling for levels of trait anxiety. Results showed higher mean compassion satisfaction scores were found in non-supervisors compared to supervisors for those who identified as having less than five years of clinical experience (p=0.037). This difference also did not remain after controlling for trait anxiety. In addition, within supervisors, those with more supervision experience reported less secondary traumatic stress. Those supervisors reporting greater confidence in their supervision roles also had increased compassion satisfaction and decreased burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The findings of this study indicate that those with less experience or less confidence in their supervision role are most likely to be at increased risk for developing compassion fatigue related to their roles as supervisors. Therefore, training in supervision and support for dealing with compassion fatigue and burnout may be beneficial to supervisors with less experience.
Geoffrey Yager, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Carrie Atzinger, M.S. C.G.C. (Committee Member)
Hua He, M.S. (Committee Member)
Katherine Healy, M.S. (Committee Member)
Chalee Engelhard, M.B.A. (Committee Member)
37 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Allsbrook, K. (2015). The Relationship Between the Supervision Role to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Genetic Counseling [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427981369

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Allsbrook, Katlin. The Relationship Between the Supervision Role to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Genetic Counseling. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427981369.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Allsbrook, Katlin. "The Relationship Between the Supervision Role to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Genetic Counseling." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427981369

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)