Job burnout and work-family conflict among emergency nurses in China

A cross-sectional study based on the job demands-resources model

Bibliographic Data

ID22083258
AuthorsXiaoxiao Chen (0009-0009-8655-4920, Sichuan University), Hao Zhang (0000-0003-0232-5565, Sichuan University), Min Dai (0000-0002-8270-9413, Sichuan University), X Chen (0000-0002-3373-1737, Sichuan University), Xiaoli Chen (0000-0003-0536-1553, Sichuan University), Yongli Gao (0000-0001-9063-4792, Sichuan University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Publication date2026-06-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1869989
OpenAlexW7166138103
LanguageEN
References cited39

Background Job burnout and work-family conflict have become prevalent occupational health issues in the healthcare industry. Emergency department (ED) nurses face dual pressures from high-intensity work environments and multiple role responsibilities, making them highly susceptible to job burnout. This study aimed to describe the current status of job burnout and work-family conflict among ED nurses, and explore their correlation as well as the associated factors of job burnout, so as to provide empirical evidence for formulating targeted occupational health intervention measures for ED nurses. Objective Based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study investigated the current status of job burnout and work-family conflict among ED nurses, and analyzed the correlational relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout, intending to provide evidence-based references for improving the occupational health status of emergency nursing staff. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 26, 2023–January 18, 2024. A total of 1,540 ED nurses from 30 hospitals were enrolled in the study. Data were collected via a self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire and two standardized scales for assessing job burnout and work-family conflict. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed using SPSS 26.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, United States) to analyze the correlational relationships among variables. Results All 1,540 distributed questionnaires were valid for analysis. Most participants were female, held a bachelor's degree, and had children. The average total score of job burnout was 4.77 (SD = 6.16), with subscale scores of 11.30 (SD = 7.76) for emotional exhaustion, 8.61 (SD = 7.58) for cynicism, and 13.79 (SD = 10.04) for professional efficacy. The average total score of work-family conflict was 42.48 (SD = 16.21), including 18.27 (SD = 6.88) for work-to-family conflict and 24.21 (SD = 10.75) for family-to-work conflict. Correlation analysis showed that the total score and the scores of the two dimensions of work-family conflict were positively correlated with the total score and the scores of all three dimensions of job burnout ( r = 0.493, 0.553, 0.389; all P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis identified significant associated factors of job burnout, including parental status ( B = −1.126, 95% CI: −2.041 to −0.211, P = 0.016), weekly working hours of 49–58 h ( B = 1.010, 95% CI: 0.005–2.015, P = 0.049), weekly working hours of ≥ 59 h ( B = 2.503, 95% CI: 1.128–3.878, P < 0.001), monthly night shift frequency of ≥ 9 times ( B = 1.324, 95% CI: 0.344–2.303, P = 0.008), and work-to-family conflict ( B = 0.449, 95% CI: 0.397–0.501, P < 0.001). Conclusions Long working hours and frequent night shifts are closely correlated with aggravated emotional exhaustion, and work-family role conflict is significantly associated with higher job burnout levels among ED nurses. Hospital administrators should formulate targeted intervention strategies, including reasonably regulating working hours, reducing excessive night shifts, and building a family-supportive organizational atmosphere, to alleviate job burnout and stabilize the emergency nursing workforce

Burnout · Descriptive statistics · Emergency department · Health care · Job control · Job satisfaction · Occupational safety and health · Occupational stress · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Nursing education and management · Work-Family Balance Challenges