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

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.