Tuğçe TAN, Yasemin HAMLACI BAŞKAYA
Ebelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;9(3):205-212
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations of professional belonging with compassion fatigue and patience among midwives in Türkiye. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 508 midwives working in Türkiye between January 1 and November 15, 2023, using an online questionnaire. Data were collected using the Midwife Introduction Form, Midwifery Belonging Scale (MBS), Compassion Fatigue Short Scale (CFS), and Patience Scale (PS). Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between professional belonging, compassion fatigue, and patience. Results: Professional belonging was significantly higher among midwives with postgraduate education, professional association membership, and shift work schedules (p<.05). Bivariate analyses showed that professional belonging was negatively correlated with compassion fatigue (r=-.109, p=.014) and positively correlated with patience (r=.339, p<.001). After adjustment for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, professional belonging was no longer significantly associated with compassion fatigue (beta=-.087, p=.054), whereas its positive association with patience remained significant (beta=.293, p<.001). The regression models explained 8.5% and 22.5% of the variance in compassion fatigue and patience, respectively. Conclusion: Professional belonging was independently associated with greater patience among midwives but not with compassion fatigue after adjustment for sociodemographic and work-related characteristics. These findings suggest that strengthening professional belonging may be particularly relevant to supporting patience, whereas compassion fatigue may be associated with a broader range of individual and occupational factors.
