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Background: Compassion fatigue is a negative consequence impacting caregivers of chronic illness, such as heart failure. Reliance on family caregivers is expected to rise, placing importance on recognizing family caregiver characteristics that contribute to compassion fatigue. Purpose: This study specifically examined the associations of characteristics of family caregivers caring for end-stage heart failure, compassion satisfaction, social desirability, and the family caregiver–nursing provider relationship on compassion fatigue. Methods: An adapted interaction model of client health behavior guided this cross-sectional survey, which comprised a demographic questionnaire, the Professional Quality-of-Life Scale, the caregiver–provider relationship assessment, the Marlowe–Crowne Social Desirability Scale Short Form (Form C), and the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale. Results: There were 127 family caregivers (FCGs), primarily those who have been a caregiver for longer than 1 year (78.4%), who completed the entire survey. Increased compassion satisfaction and positive caregiving effects were associated with decreased compassion fatigue (p <.001), while increased social desirability was associated with increased compassion fatigue (p <.001). A positive family caregiver–nursing provider relationship was related to decreased compassion fatigue (p <.001). More compassion fatigue was seen with lower spiritual status (p <.001). Implications: The chronic progression of heart failure presents opportunities for nursing providers to assess caregivers and offer frequent interventions. Family caregivers may not ask for help. Nursing providers must foster relationships with family caregivers to prevent negative consequences and mitigate compassion fatigue. Future research on the nursing provider relationship and FCGs is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe the process of an interdisciplinary case study that examined the social contexts of occupational and general health disparities among health care workers in two sets of New England hospitals and nursing homes. A political economy of the work environment framework guided the study, which incorporated dimensions related to market dynamics, technology, and political and economic power. The purpose of this article is to relate the challenges encountered in occupational health care settings and how these could have impacted the study results. An innovative data collection matrix that guided small-group analysis provided a firm foundation from which to make design modifications to address these challenges. Implications for policy and research include the use of a political and economic framework from which to frame future studies, and the need to maintain rigor while allowing flexibility in design to adapt to challenges in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]