Compassion fatigue in University students in the context of social media consumption

Abstract

This study examines compassion fatigue in the context of contemporary media consumption, focusing on emotionally saturated news coverage related to war, human loss, destruction, and humanitarian crises. Using a mixed-methods design, the research explores the prevalence of compassion fatigue among Journalism and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation students, as well as the relationship between their media consumption patterns and emotional exhaustion. Quantitative data were collected via the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), and qualitative responses were gathered through an online survey assessing emotional responses to media content, preferred platforms, content types, and self-regulation strategies. Results indicate a high prevalence of fatigue among participants, associated with frequent exposure to emotionally charged content, especially on platforms such as Telegram and Instagram. Students report cognitive and emotional overload, reduced empathy, and diminished concentration and motivation. These findings suggest that excessive media consumption during societal crises is a significant risk factor for compassion fatigue. The study underscores the importance of integrating media hygiene, critical thinking, and emotional resilience training into educational programs for journalists and healthcare professionals, and proposes preventive strategies to reduce emotional exhaustion.