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Peer-reviewedCC BYBMC nursing

Compassion fatigue impacted by traumatic birth and psychological resilience among midwives in mainland China: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods.

  • Di Tian1
  • Rui Xia2
  • Hui Li1
  • Yao Yang3
  • Yuxia Lin1
  • Jinqiong He1
  • Weilin Lin1
  • Jin Li1
  • Yuan Yang1
  • Ying Zhou4
  • Yulan Ren5
  • Xi Su6
1 more authors
  • Jiamei Li7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Guangzhou Medical University, No.1 Xinzao Road, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511436, China.
  2. 2The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221006, China.
  3. 3Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, No.56 Yulu Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518133, China.
  4. 4The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, Guangdong, 528308, China.
  5. 5State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510180, China.
  6. 6Guangzhou Medical University, No.1 Xinzao Road, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511436, China. [email protected].
  7. 7Guangzhou Medical University, No.1 Xinzao Road, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511436, China. [email protected].
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Abstract

Background

Compassion fatigue (CF) among midwives threatens both their well-being and the quality of maternal care. This study examined how traumatic birth exposure, psychological resilience, and work-family factors influence CF among midwives in mainland China.Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional survey of 227 midwives from eight public hospitals in Guangzhou, using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression identified predictors of CF. Phase 2 included 15 in-depth interviews to contextualize quantitative findings, with data analyzed thematically.Results

Nearly all participants (98.7%) reported some degree of CF, with over half experiencing moderate or higher levels. Higher psychological resilience significantly reduced CF severity (OR = 0.888, 95% CI: 0.851-0.926, p < 0.001), while sole childcare responsibility (OR = 4.442, 95% CI: 1.439-13.722, p = 0.010), longer professional experience, extended shifts, and frequent traumatic birth exposure (≥ 3 events/month) increased CF risk. Moderate traumatic exposure (1-2 events/month) was protective compared to no exposure. Qualitative data revealed mechanisms such as emotional burden, recovery needs, and organizational support.Conclusions

CF is prevalent among Chinese midwives and influenced by traumatic birth exposure, resilience, and work-family demands. Interventions should integrate organizational reforms (e.g., shorter shifts, debriefing) with resilience training and peer support to mitigate CF and sustain care quality.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{tian2026compassion,
  title = {{Compassion fatigue impacted by traumatic birth and psychological resilience among midwives in mainland China: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods.}},
  author = {Di Tian and Rui Xia and Hui Li and Yao Yang and Yuxia Lin and Jinqiong He and Weilin Lin and Jin Li and Yuan Yang and Ying Zhou and Yulan Ren and Xi Su and Jiamei Li},
  journal = {BMC nursing},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05120-x},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907874},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Compassion fatigue impacted by traumatic birth and psychological resilience among midwives in mainland China: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods.
AU  - Di Tian
AU  - Rui Xia
AU  - Hui Li
AU  - Yao Yang
AU  - Yuxia Lin
AU  - Jinqiong He
AU  - Weilin Lin
AU  - Jin Li
AU  - Yuan Yang
AU  - Ying Zhou
AU  - Yulan Ren
AU  - Xi Su
AU  - Jiamei Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - BMC nursing
DO  - 10.1186/s12912-026-05120-x
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907874
AB  - Background  Compassion fatigue (CF) among midwives threatens both their well-being and the quality of maternal care. This study examined how traumatic birth exposure, psychological resilience, and work-family factors influence CF among midwives in mainland China.Methods  An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional survey of 227 midwives from eight public hospitals in Guangzhou, using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression identified predictors of CF. Phase 2 included 15 in-depth interviews to contextualize quantitative findings, with data analyzed thematically.Results  Nearly all participants (98.7%) reported some degree of CF, with over half experiencing moderate or higher levels. Higher psychological resilience significantly reduced CF severity (OR = 0.888, 95% CI: 0.851-0.926, p < 0.001), while sole childcare responsibility (OR = 4.442, 95% CI: 1.439-13.722, p = 0.010), longer professional experience, extended shifts, and frequent traumatic birth exposure (≥ 3 events/month) increased CF risk. Moderate traumatic exposure (1-2 events/month) was protective compared to no exposure. Qualitative data revealed mechanisms such as emotional burden, recovery needs, and organizational support.Conclusions  CF is prevalent among Chinese midwives and influenced by traumatic birth exposure, resilience, and work-family demands. Interventions should integrate organizational reforms (e.g., shorter shifts, debriefing) with resilience training and peer support to mitigate CF and sustain care quality.
SN  - 1472-6955
ER  -