SELF-COMPASSION AS A MEDIATOR IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WOUNDED HEALER EXPERIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AMONG MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN ONGOING-TRAUMA CONTEXTS

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the wounded healer experience and psychological resilience among mental health professionals working in ongoing trauma contexts, while investigating the mediating role of self-compassion in this relationship. The study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational design. Standardized instruments were utilized, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scale to measure the wounded healer experience, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). The study population consisted of mental health professionals in Palestine , and the main sample included (125) participants selected through purposive sampling. The findings revealed that the prevalence of the wounded healer experience among participants was remarkably high, with the majority reporting high levels of adverse childhood experiences. The results also indicated that both self-compassion and psychological resilience were high among mental health professionals. Although the structural model showed a positive relationship between the wounded healer experience and psychological resilience, this relationship was not statistically significant. In contrast, self-compassion demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship with psychological resilience. Furthermore, the findings showed that self-compassion did not mediate the relationship between the wounded healer experience and psychological resilience. Based on these findings, the study recommended the development of professional support programs addressing mental health practitioners’ personal experiences, alongside implementing workshops to enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-compassion to support resilience in ongoing-trauma work environments.