THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPASSIONATE CARE, THE WORK LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND THE PERCEPTION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS OF WORK IN HEALTHCARE

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study are determined as follows: a) to verify the psychometric characteristics of the Compassion Scale;
b) to examine the association between the quality of compassionate care towards patients and generalizedgeneralised beliefs about control (locus of control) in the workplace and the perception of the psychological demands in nursing.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in June, 2023 encompassing 183 nurses who are employees of Clinical
Hospital Centre Split. The following questionnaires were applied: Spector’s Work Locus of Control Scale, Psychological Job Demands and Job Control Scale, Generative Commitment Scale and Compassion Scale.

The results: Factor analysis of the Compassion Scale confirms the presence of four latent factors that, with minor exceptions, correspond in content to the factors of the original version of the Scale, and together explain about 50% of the variance of compassion. The subjects evaluate their own ability to empathise with patients, to take control over work demands, and to experience commitment to work with high scores. They consider the nursing profession to be psychologically demanding and attribute their own work success to internal factors. Regression analyses indicate a relationship between nurses’ kindness and their internal locus
of control at work (β=0.20, p=0.009), greater commitment to work (β=0.43, p<0.001), and the perception of greater psychological demands of work (β=0.15, p=0.049). A more humane attitude towards patients is associated with giving less importance to external factors at work (β=-0.16, p=0.043), while focused awareness of patients’ needs contributes to a greater sense of control over job demands (β=0.16, p<0.032).

Conclusion: The findings indicate the suitability of using the Compassion Scale with the Croatian population. Nurses express high levels of compassion for patients, are committed to their vocation, and have a sense of control over the demands of their work. They also attribute professional perspectives to their own commitments and abilities. Higher levels of kindness, humanity, and focused awareness have a positive effect on the perception of professional demands of nurses.