Structural relationship between mindful self-care, meaning made, and palliative worker’s quality of life.

Abstract

Research is clear that palliative care workers (PCW) are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress, it is unclear how to address these risks and support PCWs. A recent meta-analysis of interventions supporting PCWs reported that despite ample programs implemented for PCWs, most have failed to demonstrate desired outcomes or are based on nonrigorously tested research. This study seeks to evaluate factors that may contribute to professional quality of life (ProQoL) for PCWs. Specifically, it uses structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between ProQoL, mindful self-care (MSC), and meaning made in PCWs. A total of 141 multidisciplinary palliative and hospice care clinicians from a county-wide agency completed The Mindful Self-Care Scale–33, The Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale, and The Professional Quality of Life Scale. MSC behaviors exhibited a direct effect on ProQoL for PCWs so that more engagement in MSC predicted higher ProQoL (β = .81, p < .001). MSC behaviors also demonstrated a direct relationship with meaning made for PCWs so that higher engagement in MSC predicted higher meaning made (β = .33, p < .01). Similarly, meaning made indicated a direct effect on ProQoL so that higher meaning made resulted in higher ProQoL (β = .25, p < .01). The current study suggests that ProQoL for PCWs may be directly affected by meaning made as well as the degree of engagement in MSC behaviors. Based on these findings, future programs aimed at supporting PCWs should consider adding MSC behaviors and meaning-making interventions as components.

Mindful Self-Care, Self-Compassion, and Resilience Among Palliative Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As the first known study to investigate mindful self-care, self-compassion and resilience among palliative care providers, this research has generated a number of key findings to advance knowledge in this area of increasing importance. Following the findings of recent research demonstrating that mindful self-care behaviors are protective against burnout risk and predict higher levels of professional quality of life in hospice and palliative care providers, 16 , 41 the present study provides new empirical evidence suggesting that mindful self-care, self-compassion, and resilience are positively related to each other. Our findings indicate these variables are also associated with greater satisfaction with professional life and perceived lessened impairment in physical and/or mental health stemming from decreased self-care activities due to routine changes related to professional performance in the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Translation and Validation of the Mindful Self-Care Scale—Chinese Version: A Pilot Study

“…To conclude, the results of the current pilot test on the relationship between mindful self-care and psychological well-being are in line with existing literature. Recent studies on mindful self-care have documented the positive effect on individuals' mental well-being, including reduced perceived stress [23] and predicted improvement in subjective well-being [38,39]. The current research has hence documented the significant relationship between mindful self-care and well-being, as well as demonstrating the validity of the Chinese version of Mindful Self-Care Scale with that of the WHO Five Well-Being Index.…”

“…Specifically, self-compassion and mindfulness, as elements of mindful self-care that embrace warmth, love, and kindness to oneself, have also shown negative associations with vulnerability to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety [2]. Further, engaging in mindful self-care contributes to a better quality of life as well as a higher level of health-related quality of life [23,24]. Therefore, by embracing mindful self-care, people are expected to be equipped with mindfulness, self-compassion, and a caring attitude towards their physical and psychological needs, which could reduce potential vulnerability and encourage help-seeking behaviour.…”

Professional identity formation: linking meaning to well-being

“…While a macroscopic approach is undoubtedly critical in supporting learner wellbeing, some parallel attention to the individual, subjective experience of medical training likely remains necessary. This is especially true given our increasing understanding of the relationship between the experience of meaning at work and wellbeing (Ben-Itzhak et al, 2015 ; Borritz et al, 2005 ; Depner et al, 2021 ; Hafler et al, 2017 ; McMurray et al, 1997 ; Messias et al, 2021 ; Shanafelt et al, 2009 ; Tei et al, 2015 ).…”