Resilience as a Moderator of Psychological Health in Situations of Chronic Stress (Burnout) in a Sample of Hospital Nurses

J Nurs Scholarsh. 2018 Mar;50(2):228-236. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12367. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the role played by resilience in the dimensions that constitute burnout syndrome and, through that, the psychological health of a sample of nurses working at hospital centers.

Methods: Cross-sectional design, with a questionnaire as the tool. The sample consisted of 537 nurses from three public hospitals in Murcia, Spain. The questionnaire contained measures of the following variables: resilience, the three dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy), and general psychological health, as well as sociodemographic and employment information.

Results: The emotional exhaustion and cynicism dimensions of burnout were significantly linked to psychological health in the manner expected, but this was not the case for professional efficacy. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed the moderating role of resilience on the emotional exhaustion and cynicism dimensions, as well as on psychological health.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: This study highlights the moderating role of resilience on burnout and psychological health. The practical implications of the results are discussed for the implementation of measures to increase resilience as a personal resource in order to improve the health and work performance of these professionals.

Keywords: Burnout; mental health; nursing staff; professional; psychological; resilience; stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emotions
  • Employment
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Public / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Organizational
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Spain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Performance
  • Young Adult