Compassion Fatigue and Feelings of Guilt in Caregivers of Individuals Engaging in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent in adolescents and young adults. The individuals engaging in NSSI often seek help from informal caregivers like peers and siblings. The caregiving process often affects the caregivers and may lead to exhaustion. Thus, this study aims to find out the effect of NSSI on the caregivers, the level of compassion fatigue and presence of feeling of guilt in the caregivers of NSSI individuals. For this purpose, mixed research was conducted. First, the screening tool, Deliberate self-harm inventory (DSHI), was used to find out individuals engaging in self-harm behavior. Through the 40 individuals that engaged in NSSI, their caregivers were contacted. Total 20 caregivers were sent a form of Compassion satisfaction/fatigue self-test – Compassion fatigue (CFST-CF) subscale was sent to them. Then, a semi-structured interview was taken. Through thematic analysis three themes and nine subthemes were found and it was concluded that there is a negative impact of taking care of NSSI individuals wad found. Further high level of compassion fatigue and presence of feeling of guilt was also found in the results. This research suggests an intervention is required for the mental health of the caregivers.