The relationship between nurses' altruism and compassion fatigue levels and emotional labor behaviors

Objective: To ascertain the association between nurses' altruism and compassion fatigue levels and emotional labor behaviors, the study was designed as a descriptive and correlational study. Materials and Methods: The Health Application and Research Center Hospital of Ondokuz Mayıs University hosted the study between October 10, 2021, and May 5, 2023. The study made combined use of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. 373 nurses made up the sample for the quantitative study, whereas 20 nurses made up the sample for the qualitative study. The Altruism Scale (AS), Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale (CF-SS), Nurses' Emotional Labor Behavior Scale (NELBS), and Nurses' Descriptive Information Form were used to gather quantitative data, while a semi-structured interview form was used to obtain qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS V23 and IBM AMOS 24 programs, and qualitative data were analyzed using the MAXQDA tool. Findings: The mean total score from AS was 48,46±11,19, the mean total score from CF-SS was 107,4±27,1 and the mean total score from NELBS was 3,92±0,53. The mean total and subscale scores from AS, CF-SS and NELBS differed according to the socio-demographic and occupational characteristics of the nurses. There was a statistically significant and moderately positive relationship between the total score from AS and the total score from NELBS (r=0.607; p<0.001). The path coefficient between the Superficial Behavior, In-depth Behavior and Sincere Behavior sub-dimensions of NELBS and AS was statistically significant (β=0,021; p<0,001; β=0,031; p<0,001; β=0,032; p<0,001, respectively). There was no statistically significant relationship between the total score from CF-SS and AS (r=- 0,065; p=0,209) nor between the total score from CF-SS and NELBS (r=-0,031; p=0,547). The path coefficients between the Superficial Behavior, In-depth Behavior and Sincere Behavior sub-dimensions of NELBS and the CF-SS were not statistically significant (β=-0,001; p=0,513; β=0,001; p=0,447; β=0; p=0,879, respectively). As per analysis of qualitative data, seven themes and 34 sub-themes were identified: meaning of altruism, compassion fatigue, effects of compassion fatigue, coping with compassion fatigue, meaning of emotional labor behavior, causes of emotional labor behavior, and effects of emotional labor behavior. Conclusion: According to this study, there is a correlation between nurses' degrees of altruism and their emotional labor behaviors, and as nurses' levels of altruism rise, so do their emotional labor behaviors. Keywords: Nursing, Altruism, Compassion Fatigue, Emotional Labor