Prevalence of burnout in mental health nurses in China: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Liang-Nan Zeng; Ji-Wen Zhang; Qian-Qian Zong; Sally Wai-Chi Chan; Graeme Browne; Gabor S Ungvari; Li-Gang Chen; Yu-Tao Xiang

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2020.03.006

Prevalence of burnout in mental health nurses in China: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2020 Jun;34(3):141-148. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.03.006. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Authors

Liang-Nan Zeng¹, Ji-Wen Zhang², Qian-Qian Zong², Sally Wai-Chi Chan³, Graeme Browne³, Gabor S Ungvari⁴, Li-Gang Chen⁵, Yu-Tao Xiang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China; Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Neurosurgery Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Sichuan, China.
² School of Nursing, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia; Division of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Neurosurgery Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: chengligang.cool@163.com.
⁶ Center for Cognition and Brain Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China. Electronic address: ytxiang@umac.mo.

PMID: 32513464
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.03.006

Abstract

Objective: Burnout is common in mental health nurses because of work-related stress. Burnout has a negative impact on nurses' health and work performance. The prevalence of high burnout in mental health nurses has been inconclusive across studies. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of high burnout in mental health nurses in China.

Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang and SinoMed) were independently and systematically searched from their commencement date up to 14 May 2018. Studies that reported the prevalence of any of the 3 burnout dimensions (high Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and low Personal Accomplishment (PA)) as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were included and analyzed using the random-effects model.

Results: A total of 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of high EE was 28.1% (95% CI: 20.4-35.8%), DP was 25.4% (18.1-32.6%) and low PA was 39.7% (28.3-51.1%). Subgroup analyses found that short working experience, use of MBI-Human Services Survey (HSS), and younger age had moderating effects on prevalence of high burnout.

Conclusions: Burnout is common in mental health nurses in China. Considering its negative impact on health and work performance, regular screening, preventive measures and effective interventions should be implemented.

Keywords: Burnout; China; Mental health; Nurse.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Burnout, Professional / epidemiology*
China / epidemiology
Humans
Prevalence
Psychiatric Nursing*
Surveys and Questionnaires