Working in the Trenches: Compassion Fatigue and Job Satisfaction among Workers Who Serve Homeless Clients

The experiences of compassion fatigue and job satisfaction among workers who serve homeless clients is explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between workers’ experiences of compassion fatigue and workers’ experiences of job satisfaction as they engage with homeless clientele with multifarious presenting concerns. Specifically, this study sought to determine if a relationship between the compassion fatigue and job satisfaction existed, and to determine the nature of possible correlations between the variables. Using a quantitative design, employees of a local, targeted agency that serves homeless clientele were targeted and administered two survey instruments. Data was collected and analyzed using inferential statistics, including chi-square calculations. These findings indicated that a correlative relationship exists between workers’ experiences of compassion fatigue and experiences of job satisfaction, although the correlation appears to be weak. The findings point to the need for continued efforts to identify and treat compassion fatigue among workers, and the continued need to investigate the role of compassion satisfaction opportunities as they influence experiences of job satisfaction.