Self‐compassion training for certified nurse assistants in nursing homes

• Published in: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) Vol. 69; no. 7; pp. 1896 - 1905
• Main Authors: Bluth, Karen, Lathren, Christine, Silbersack Hickey, Johanna V. T., Zimmerman, Sheryl, Wretman, Christopher J., Sloane, Philip D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.07.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; burnout; certified nurse assistants; Compassion; Compassion Fatigue - prevention & control; Compassion Fatigue - therapy; Dementia disorders; Empathy; Feasibility Studies; Female; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Inservice Training - methods; Intervention; Job satisfaction; Male; mindfulness; North Carolina; Nursing Assistants - education; Nursing Assistants - psychology; Nursing Homes; Occupational Stress - prevention & control; Occupational Stress - therapy; Personal Satisfaction; Psychotherapy - methods; Self compassion; Statistical analysis; Training; Young Adult; North Carolina; burnout; certified nurse assistants; mindfulness; nursing homes; self-compassion
• ISSN: 0002-8614; 1532-5415
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17155

Background/Objectives Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who work in nursing homes (NHs) face significant work and personal stress. Self‐compassion training has been shown to decrease stress postintervention in previous studies among healthcare providers and those in helping professions. This study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of self‐compassion training to address CNA stress and well‐being. Design Pre–post intervention. Setting Three mid‐size, nonprofit NHs in North Carolina. Participants Thirty CNAs, with a mean age of 49, 96% of whom were female, and 83% black/African American. Intervention In one NH, participants received an 8‐week, 2.5‐h/session (20 h total) group intervention. At the time of recruitment for NHs 2 and 3, a briefer format (6‐week, 1‐h/session; 6 h total) became available and was preferred by CNAs, thus both NHs 2 and 3 participants received a 6‐h group intervention. All interventions occurred in meeting rooms within participating NHs during shift changes. Measurements Intervention attendance, retention, and acceptability; self‐compassion, stress, burnout, depression, and attitudes toward residents with dementia, and job satisfaction pre‐, post‐, 3‐month post‐, and 6‐month postintervention were assessed. Results Attendance and program satisfaction were high, and attrition was low for both training formats. Self‐compassion was significantly improved at all time periods (p < 0.001), and stress and depression improved significantly through 3 months (p < 0.05), but not 6 months. No statistically significant change in job satisfaction was noted. Conclusion Self‐compassion interventions are feasible and acceptable for CNAs working in NHs and show promise for managing stress and improving well‐being and compassion toward residents. The briefer 6‐h format may maximize participation, while still providing benefits.