Mindful self-care, self-compassion, and resilience among palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Context

Given the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing of palliative care providers, there is a growing need to better understand protective variables such as self-care, mindfulness and self-compassion, as they relate to resilience.

Objective

To investigate mindful self-care, self-compassion, and resilience as reported by palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. An electronic questionnaire captured data from validated instruments measuring each study variable, as well as participant demographics and perceived impacts of COVID-19 on professional quality of life.

Results

Positive, statistically significant correlations were found between mindful self-care, self-compassion, and resilience. These variables were also associated with greater satisfaction with professional life and perceived lessened impairment in physical and/or mental health due to a decrease in self-care activities stemming from altered routines during COVID-19. Those with higher resilience had worked in palliative care longer and also reported higher levels of self-compassion and mindful self-care, explaining 50% of variance. Self-compassion, satisfaction with professional life, and changes in self-care routine due to professional activities in the pandemic explained 44.3% of variance in mindful self-care. Self-compassion, female gender, and working as a frontline responder to the COVID-19 pandemic accounted for 35% variance in resilience levels.

Conclusions

Results from this study extend the currently limited knowledge of self-care, mindfulness and self-compassion, as protective variables related to resilience in palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further longitudinal studies into causal effects on health and wellbeing over time are needed.