Professional Quality of Life in Recreational Therapists

Authors

  • Angela J. Wozencroft University of Tennessee
  • Jason L. Scott University of Tennessee
  • Steven N. Waller University of Tennessee

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2019-V53-I1-9098

Keywords:

Burnout, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, organizational strategies, secondary traumatic stress, self-care practices

Abstract

Recreational therapists are at risk for compassion fatigue, more specifically, secondary traumatic stress and burnout. Limited research has been conducted in this area. To address this gap, this study sought to examine compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in recreational therapists around the nation and to uncover any differences related to demographic variables. The sample consisted of 931 Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Overall, the sample had high to average levels of compassion satisfaction, average levels of burnout, and low levels of secondary traumatic stress. Males reported higher levels of compassion satisfaction than females. Statistically significant differences were found in compassion satisfaction for years worked, population served, and age of the population. For burnout and secondary traumatic stress, significant differences were found for gender, years worked, and population served. Self-care practices and organizational strategies to avert compassion fatigue are discussed. Also, study limitations and direction for future research are outlined.

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Author Biographies

Angela J. Wozencroft, University of Tennessee

Associate Professor

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Jason L. Scott, University of Tennessee

Assistant Professor

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

Steven N. Waller, University of Tennessee

Professor

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

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Published

2019-03-12

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 1 (2019)

Section

Research Papers

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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