Causes of nursing staff burnout: Exploring the effects of emotional exhaustion, work-family conflict, and supervisor support

Jpn J Nurs Sci. 2021 Apr;18(2):e12392. doi: 10.1111/jjns.12392. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Abstract

Aim: Nursing staff burnout threatens not only nurses' health but also the safety and health of their patients. Organizations should be aware of how work-related conflict can affect this burnout. This study examined the effect of supervisor support and work-family conflict on resource loss and burnout.

Methods: A cross-sectional method and quantitative approach were adopted. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed to clinical nursing staff in two regional teaching hospitals, and 239 valid questionnaires were returned.

Results: Work-family conflict had a mediating effect on the relationship between supervisor support and emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion fully mediated the relationships between depersonalization, work-family conflict, and reduced professional efficacy.

Conclusion: The mediating effect of emotional exhaustion in work-family conflict results from depersonalization and reduced professional efficacy, whereas work-family conflict mediated the effect of supervisor support on emotional exhaustion. The findings indicate that the medical industry should implement supervisor support strategies to reduce nursing staff work-family conflict and improve interventions for emotional exhaustion.

Keywords: burnout; emotional exhaustion; supervisor support; work-family conflict.

MeSH terms

  • Burnout, Professional*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emotions
  • Family Conflict
  • Humans
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires