Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1379-3489
Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Health Administration
First Advisor
Jessica Mittler, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Christopher Reina, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Laura McClelland, Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Adam Atherly, Ph.D.
Abstract
Statement of problem and objectives: Could experienced compassion at work alleviate nursing home certified nursing assistant (CNA) burnout? This study investigates whether experienced compassion at work predicts higher well-being (meaningfulness of work, psychological vitality, and resilience) for CNAs, and if well-being predicts lower turnover intentions.
Procedure followed: This is a prospective, observational, survey-based study with three timepoint data collection. Convenience sampling of Kansas and Virginia NHs was conducted (n=13). All CNAs working at the NHs were study eligible. CNAs received gift cards with laddered incentives for ongoing participation. There was in-person administration of a CNA survey at each timepoint. One organizational characteristics survey was administered at time-period one. Overall response rate at time-period one was 45%. Retention by the time-period three was 30% (n=71 CNAs). The hypothesized model was tested using path analyses after validating scale reliability using SPSS v29 and Process 4.3.
Results: Findings show that experienced compassion at work predicts higher meaningfulness of work and resilience; meaningfulness of work predicts lower CNA profession turnover intentions; and experienced compassion at work predicts lower CNA intentions to leave the profession through meaningfulness of work. In all models experienced compassion at work predicts lower turnover intentions.
Conclusions: Burnout and turnover plague healthcare, and long-term care and CNAs are particularly fraught. If experienced compassion benefits NH CNAs, a category of healthcare workers, then other healthcare workers may have similar outcomes. This study contributes to the literature by examining compassion through a multi-theoretical perspective and empirically testing newly conceptualized relationships.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-10-2024