2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 16
Available Online: 24 June 2026
Author/s:
Navarez, Joel*
De La Salle University, Philippines (joel.navarez@dlsu.edu.ph)
Aranda, Elaine Marie
De La Salle University, Philippines (elaine.aranda@dlsu.edu.ph)
Villanueva, Christopher
De La Salle University, Philippines (christopher.villanueva@dlsu.edu.ph)
Abstract:
Helping professionals are routinely exposed to emotionally demanding situations, trauma narratives, and chronic interpersonal stressors that may adversely affect their professional quality of life (ProQOL). Reflective practice has been conceptualized as a professional competency that may support resilience and adaptive functioning; however, limited evidence exists regarding which dimensions of reflective practice are most strongly associated with burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). This study examined whether dimensions of reflective practice significantly predict professional quality-of-life outcomes among helping professionals. A quantitative cross-sectional predictive design was utilized involving 63 helping professionals from various service-oriented professions. Participants completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-5) and the Reflective Practice Questionnaire (RPQ). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple regression analyses were performed using standardized variables. Results indicated that stress interacting with clients significantly predicted higher burnout (β = .50, p = .002), whereas communication confidence significantly predicted lower burnout (β = −.35, p = .001). Reflective-on-action significantly predicted higher STS (β = .45, p = .026), while communication confidence significantly predicted lower STS (β = −.31, p = .041). Compassion satisfaction was positively predicted by job satisfaction (β = .47, p < .001) and communication confidence (β = .46, p < .001). The regression models accounted for substantial variance in burnout (R² = .76), STS (R² = .52), and compassion satisfaction. Findings suggest that communication confidence and stress during client interactions are salient and potentially modifiable predictors of professional quality of life among helping professionals. Structured reflective supervision, communication-skills enhancement, and organizational support systems may reduce occupational distress while enhancing professional fulfillment.
Keywords: reflective practice, professional quality of life, burnout, compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, helping professionals
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26861
Cite this article:
Navarez, J., Aranda, E. M., & Villanueva, C. (2026). Predictors of burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress: Dimensions of reflective practice among helping professionals. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(16), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26861
* Corresponding Author