When the time came for Regina Demasi to choose a scholarly project for the at 麻豆精品, she knew what she wanted to explore.
鈥淚 wanted to use my nursing skills to help those who help the most vulnerable,鈥� said Demasi, a Wheeling, WV resident who, in addition to nursing, has worked both in the business world and as a missionary.聽
Her project focused on compassion fatigue among volunteers who provide aid to the homeless, specifically from a non-profit organization named , started by two women to help unhoused people in Wheeling.
鈥淭he volunteers are people who live in the community,鈥� said Demasi. 鈥淭hey are moms, dads, teachers, and others who have a heart for helping the people who are most vulnerable. I wanted to provide them with strategies to protect themselves, so they don鈥檛 experience compassion fatigue.鈥�
Compassion fatigue differs from stress or burnout, although caregivers may experience both of those feelings. Presentation may vary from person to person, but compassion fatigue symptoms generally include headaches, muscle tension, mood swings, restlessness, reduced energy, questioning one鈥檚 faith, withdrawal from others, developing a more pessimistic outlook, and even alcohol abuse.
鈥淢ore important, the individual has an awareness that something is wrong,鈥� Demasi said. 鈥淗e or she may develop turnover intention, a feeling that they can鈥檛 continue to volunteer.鈥�
It鈥檚 understandable that volunteers may experience these feelings. There are many heartbreaking stories among the homeless population of extreme hardship, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.
鈥淰olunteers need to practice self-care,鈥� said Demasi, adding that the self-care may include spiritual practices, health promotion, as well as regular intervals of rest, exercise, and relaxation to balance any frustrations or stress that they feel through their volunteer work.
Street Moms leadership agreed that an educational session on these topics might be beneficial to individuals and the organization. Demasi鈥檚 project explored the benefits of educating these volunteers on self-care activities to reduce the effects of compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout.
Her presentation educated the volunteers about the need for self-care, which includes tips on exercise, journaling, and promoting their health and well-being. A few weeks after the presentation, she asked the volunteers who participated to evaluate their feelings of compassion fatigue.
鈥淚 talked a lot about different strategies to take care of themselves,鈥� she said. “Health promotion helps people exert control over their situation and improve their health.鈥�
Throughout her research, Demasi said she felt that Carlow was the right place for her to conduct this study.
鈥淎s a faith-based organization itself, I think this research speaks to Carlow and its mission,鈥� Demasi said. 鈥淭he faculty were encouraging to me from day one.鈥�