Mediating effect of self-efficacy between social support and compassion fatigue among Geriatric Services and Management interns: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To explore the impact of social support on CF and further clarify the mediating role of self-efficacy among Geriatric Services and Management interns.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study examined social support, self-efficacy and CF in 592 interns in Geriatric Services and Management from 46 institutions in China.

Result: The level of CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns is low but about one-third of the respondents is at high risk of CF. Social support was positively correlated with self-efficacy (β = 0.114, P < 0.01). Social support significantly reduced CF (β = -0.322, P < 0.01). Similarly, self-efficacy had significant direct effects on CF (β = -0.497, P < 0.01). Additionally, self-efficacy played a partial mediating role in the relationship between social support and CF.

Conclusion: Social support can directly affect the CF of Geriatric Services and Management interns and indirectly through self-efficacy. Accordingly, It is necessary to strengthen social support and self-efficacy to relieve CF among Geriatric Services and Management interns.