Table 2 Compassion fatigue resilience framework in the context of post-overdose outreach, Massachusetts post-overdose outreach program staff interviews, n = 38

Empathy (compassion fatigue resilience constructs and sub-constructs)

Empathic concern

Concern for others’ well-being (theme and example quotes):

“[I was] eager to do something because I recognized the problem. I recognized people out there struggling with addiction.”

Empathic ability

Capacity to adopt and understand others’ perspectives: “I can empathize with the amount of stuff they’ve been through. They share a lot of trauma with us, they share a lot of what’s going on in their life.”

Empathic response

Delivery of empathic and compassionate services: “Just let them know it’s an honor to speak to them. It’s an honor to even be there. Thanks for opening the door is huge.”

Secondary Traumatic Stress

Trauma exposure

Exposure to others’ trauma: “I have had situations where I went out with an officer and the person of interest actually died that morning… so that was like really difficult.”

Trauma exposure

Trauma exposure within personal social spheres: “So one of my latest… I knew the address, which was actually close to where I grew up.

Trauma exposure

Prolonged/repeated exposure to trauma: “You know, over the years… you see a lot of the ugly in society. You’re getting calls when people are suffering the most, at their worst… afraid, angry, upset, hurt.”

Compassion Fatigue Resilience

Self-care

Self-care practices and routines: “Well, I go home and walk my dog, and exercise regularly, eat well.”

Detachment

Detachment from outreach experiences: “And so, you know, like anybody else when you’re dealing with things like that you get this cynical side, you get this hardened side to be self-protective.”

Social support

Social support: “You gotta have little breaks together, lunches [or] thing[s] to just get away from the work for a little bit.”

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction and occupational valuing: “I love what I do. My experience has been great. It’s rewarding for me as an individual in recovery to work with the community.”

Workplace support

Professional supervision and counseling support: “I’ve sat down with [my recovery coach supervisor] and cried. It’s been like, this one [post-overdose outreach visit] just hitting home, you know, it just sucks.”