The Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Training on Reducing Compassion Fatigue Due to Secondary Traumatic Stress and Improving Emotion Regulation in ICU Nurses

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine , Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Science and Technologies, Islamic Azad University, SR.C., Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding Author)

3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medical Science and Technologies, Islamic Azad University, SR.C., Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Qo.C., Qom, Iran.

5 Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Ash.C., Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran.

10.22038/mjms.2026.95480.5279

Abstract

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Training on reducing compassion fatigue and improving emotion regulation in ICU nurses.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group, including a three-month follow-up. The study population consisted of ICU nurses from hospitals in Tehran. Forty participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). After exclusions (4 dropouts in the intervention group and 1 in the control group), data from 35 participants (16 in the intervention group and 19 in the control group) were analyzed. The intervention group received eight 90-minute sessions of mentalization-based training. Data were collected using the Compassion Fatigue Index (CFI) and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Repeated Measures ANOVA.
Results: The results showed that mentalization-based training had a significant effect on reducing compassion fatigue scores (including secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue) and improving emotion regulation strategies. In the post-test phase, total compassion fatigue scores decreased significantly in the intervention group (F=18.52, P<0.001), while cognitive reappraisal scores increased (F=22.15, P<0.001) and expressive suppression scores decreased (F=15.48, P<0.001). These effects were maintained at the three-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Mentalization-based training, as a structured and effective intervention, can prevent compassion fatigue in ICU nurses by enhancing emotional boundary-setting and improving emotion regulation.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 69, Issue 3
May 2026
Pages 339-345

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