Research Information System
Nursing Ethics, vol.33, no.3, pp.831-847, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
Background: Compassion fatigue is a significant problem faced by nurses. Understanding the relationship between compassion fatigue and caring behaviors is essential in terms of reducing situations that negatively affect nurses and, thus, care. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between compassion fatigue and caring behaviors among oncology nurses. Research design: This study employs a descriptive and correlational approach. Participants and research context: The study was conducted with 241 oncology nurses working in hospitals with oncology inpatient services located within the provincial borders of Ankara. Data were collected face-to-face between July 15, 2023, and July 1, 2024, using the Descriptive Characteristics Form for Nurses, the Caring Behaviors Inventory-24, and the Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale. The data obtained from the study were analyzed with IBM SPSS 26. The analysis involved t-tests, ANOVA, Tukey tests, and Pearson correlation analysis. Ethical considerations: Data were collected after obtaining ethics committee approval, institutional permissions, and informed consent from the nurses. Results: The mean total score of Caring Behaviors Inventory was 5.22, and the mean total score of Compassion Fatigue Scale was 67.71. There was a very weak positive correlation between the Caring Behaviors Inventory sub-dimension “respectful” and the Compassion Fatigue Scale sub-dimension “secondary trauma” (r = 0.153, p = .017). According to the findings obtained from the study, it was determined that oncology nurses had a high level of perception of caring behaviors and experienced compassion fatigue at a moderate level. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue and caring behaviors are affected by many situations. Despite these situations, oncology nurses with empathic thinking, altruism, and ethical and professional values continue to care for their patients.