ABSTRACT
The appearance of compassion fatigue can take many shapes: a diminishing sense of hope, compassion, and empathy; changes in work performance; feelings of bitterness towards the jobs; violation of boundaries; and a loss of emotional regulation. Compassion fatigue does not discriminate—it can affect anyone in a caregiving role. A number of studies have determined that workers who are frequently exposed to traumatized children are especially vulnerable and are at a higher risk for developing compassion fatigue. Educators are dealing with children who are traumatized, but many also have their own personal histories that can play a role in their perception of a secondary, traumatic event. J. D. Briere and Elliot found that a staggering 76% of American adults have experienced at least one traumatic event. Compassion fatigue can elicit a number of complex emotions. Feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, and depression are common.
