Feeling Your Joy Helps Me to Bear Feeling Your Pain: Focusing on the Positive Emotions of Those Who Are Struggling (yet Hopeful) Reduces Burnout-Related Emotions

Correlational research shows that, among caregivers, connecting with clients’ negative emotions increases burnout, whereas connecting with clients’ positive emotions reduces burnout. We extended this work in an experimental study and showed that connecting with the positive emotions of a struggling (yet hopeful) target caused decreased burnout-related emotions in potential helpers.