Analysis of the mediating effect of occupational burnout on the relationship between emotional labor and turnover intention among obstetric nurses

作者：Xin Lv, Zhifang Ding, Tingting Wang, Ming Zhang · 发表于：Frontiers in Public Health · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fpubh.2025.1631669 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Emotional Labor in Professions、Healthcare Education and Workforce Issues、Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout

Objective This study aimed to examine the mediating role of occupational burnout in the relationship between emotional labor and turnover intention among obstetric nurses in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 205 obstetric nurses from six tertiary hospitals in Fuyang City, China. Validated scales were used to assess emotional labor (Emotional Labor Scale, ELS), occupational burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory, MBI), and turnover intention (Turnover Intention Scale, TIS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, univariate analysis, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM) with Bootstrap mediation analysis. Results Significant associations were found between nurses' emotional labor and occupational burnout ( r = 0.292, P < 0.01), occupational burnout and turnover intention ( r = 0.152, P < 0.01), and emotional labor and turnover intention ( r = 0.291, P < 0.01). The SEM demonstrated good fit indices (χ 2 /df = 2.032, RMSEA = 0.071, CFI = 0.957). Occupational burnout substantially mediated the relationship, accounting for 54.2% of the total effect of emotional labor on turnover intention (indirect effect: 0.110, 95% CI [0.069, 0.169], P < 0.001). Additionally, monthly night shifts (β = 0.35, P < 0.001) and professional title (β = 0.28, P < 0.01) emerged as significant predictors of turnover intention. Conclusion Occupational burnout serves as a critical mediator between emotional la...