Fostering self-compassion in a vicarious trauma-informed workplace
To create a supportive work environment that recognizes the impact of vicarious trauma and promotes self-compassion, organizations should adopt practices aligned with core values and prioritize employee well-being in the workplace. These initiatives encourage trauma-informed self-care strategies, improving morale, enhancing employee satisfaction, boosting productivity, lowering healthcare costs, and increasing job satisfaction. Such practices also lead to reduced absenteeism and better employee retention.
Self-Compassion in the workplace
Employees dealing with vicarious trauma can greatly benefit from practicing self-compassion, offering themselves the same kindness, empathy, and understanding that they would extend to a friend in distress (Neff & Davidson, 2016). This practice helps alleviate emotions like depression, anxiety, isolation, and shame (Braehler & Neff, 2020). It empowers individuals to care for themselves during times of personal difficulty, setbacks, or failures (Warren et al., 2016). By embracing this approach, individuals can learn from challenges and maintain a positive outlook toward themselves despite imperfections (Kemper et al., 2019). It also supports managing self-critical thoughts (Gilbert, 2014) and fosters healthier responses to stressful situations, such as failure and feelings of inadequacy (Nazari et al., 2024).
Key elements of self-compassion
According to Kristin Neff (2023), self-compassion is built upon six fundamental elements that enable individuals to navigate suffering caused by personal challenges or shortcomings:
- Self-kindness: Showing tolerance towards one’s own feelings without self-criticism.
- Common humanity: Understanding that difficulties and mistakes are a shared part of the human experience.
- Mindfulness: Facing painful emotions directly, instead of avoiding them or becoming overwhelmed.
- Reduced self-judgment: Minimizing harsh self-criticism and fostering a more compassionate view of oneself.
- Connection to others: Recognizing that everyone faces similar struggles, reducing feelings of isolation.
- Balanced perspective: Maintaining emotional balance and avoiding excessive focus on negative experiences.
These core elements help individuals manage the emotional impact of vicarious trauma in a healthier and more balanced way.
Advantages of practicing self-compassion
Research has shown that self-compassion is a strong predictor of psychological well-being (Gilbert & Irons, 2005; Leary et al., 2007). Some of the notable benefits include:
- Improved Mental and Cognitive Health: Self-compassion boosts cognitive function and mental well-being (Zessin et al., 2015).
- Positive Body Image and Eating Habits: It is linked to healthier eating behaviors and fewer concerns about body image (Turk & Waller, 2020).
- Better Physical Health: People who practice self-compassion often report lower stress levels and engage in more health-promoting behaviors (Homan & Sirois, 2017). Studies suggest it can reduce inflammation and improve immune function (Bellosta-Batalla et al., 2018; Phillips & Hine, 2021).
- Reduced Burnout in Healthcare: Self-compassion has a significant impact on lowering burnout rates in healthcare professionals, outweighing factors like social or demographic differences (Nazari et al., 2024). Healthcare workers who practice self-compassion tend to experience less burnout (Vaillancourt & Wasylkiw, 2020).
- Protection Against Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Labor: Self-compassion helps prevent compassion fatigue and emotional exhaustion (Chu, 2024).
- Preservation of Self-Image: It safeguards self-esteem during challenging situations (Choi et al., 2014).
Overall, self-compassion promotes resilience and well-being across mental, physical, and professional domains. It also plays a key role in helping individuals recover from moral distress—when one witnesses or participates in actions that conflict with their values (Rubel & Palamara, 2023).
Research shows the benefits
Research consistently shows that practicing self-compassion brings numerous benefits to overall well-being. Individuals who are self-compassionate often experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, as they are better equipped to manage these negative emotions. This approach also fosters greater emotional resilience, enabling people to handle challenges more effectively. Additionally, self-compassion enhances one’s ability to connect positively with others, leading to stronger, more empathetic relationships. It also increases motivation for self-growth, encouraging individuals to learn from their experiences. Ultimately, those who practice self-compassion report higher life satisfaction and face fewer issues with compassion fatigue and mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. (Galiana et al., 2022; Brown et al., 2021; Cleare et al., 2019; Ferrari et al., 2019; MacBeth & Gumley, 2012; McArthur et al., 2-17; Shattell & Johnson, 2018; Macbeth & Gumley, 2012; Terry & Leary, 2011; Allen et al., 2010).
Conclusion
Creating a workplace that encourages self-compassion and recognizes the effects of vicarious trauma is essential for employee well-being. Implementing trauma-informed practices that support self-compassion can greatly benefit employees, leading to improved resilience, lower stress levels, and healthier work dynamics.
Barbara is a leading authority and best-selling author on managing burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. As a nationally recognized keynote speaker, she motivates audiences to build their resilience and create work-life balance. Her programs help leaders and teams manage workplace chronic stressors and get over burnout at work.
Barbara's newest book, "But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide", is available now on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2FwS6JI
• Three weeks prior to giving birth to triplets, her father died by suicide. Her story was featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, Fatal Mistakes, Families Shattered by Suicide narrated by Mariette Hartley. Many employees are grieving personal loss. She offers programs for leaders on lost productivity and performance while managing grief at work.
• As a sought-after keynote speaker who has presented to over 500 groups since 1991, including corporations, state and national associations and non-profit organizations, Barbara offers work-life balance strategies for leaders to implement right away. With clarity and humor, her speaking engagements are designed to give audiences powerful and practical strategies of work-life balance, wellbeing, and self-care that can be implemented immediately.
• Barbara is a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in thanatology, both from Brooklyn College.
Email: BarbaraRubel@BarbaraRubel.com
Website: www.barbararubel.com
