In its work with the animal care community, the REACH program takes both a problem-focused and a solution-focused approach to burnout and compassion fatigue. At times, the individual or organizational symptoms of these conditions require a focus on problems, i.e., alleviating stress and distress. When prevention is the goal, however, a more positive solution-focus is called for: to build resilience and engagement before problems arise.[1]
Building Resilience and Engagement
Several decades of research suggests that compassion fatigue and burnout are the result of a "mismatch" between a person and the work environment.[2] Ideally, a healthy relationship with work can be maintained or restored using individual and organizational strategies in combination.
For example, by instilling personal practices of self-care and self-nurturing, an individual's emotional fitness for work with animals can be enhanced.[3] Simultaneouly, changes in critical management processes and structures can set the stage for positive improvements in key areas of work life. [4] An organization committed to addressing burnout and compassion fatigue is one that seeks a healthy workplace "climate," including: (1) a sustainable workload, (2) feelings of choice and control, (3) appropriate recognition and reward, (4) a supportive work community, (5) fairness and justice, and (6) meaningful and valued work.[1]
Sources
[1] Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., and Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. In S. T. Fiske, D. L. Schacter, & C. Zahn-Waxler (Eds.), Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 397-422.
[2] Leiter, M. P., and Maslach, C. (1997). The truth about burnout. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
[3] Figley, C. R. and Roop, R. G. (2006). Compassion fatigue in the animal-care community. Washington, DC: Human Society.
[4] Leiter, M. P., and Maslach, C. (2004). Areas of work life: A structured approach to organizational predictors of job burnout. In P. L. Perrewe & D. C. Ganster (Eds.), Research in occupational stress and well-being (Vol. 3, 91-134). Oxford: Elsevier.
photo credits
"Resilient and Engaged," courtesy Jeff Borchers
© 2012 Kerulos Center All rights reserved
"Science in service to animals"
