Relationship between Emotional Exhaustion and Chronic Fatigue in Nurses: The Moderating Role of Health-Promoting Lifestyles

Amin   Barazandeh; Maedeh  Khorasani; Moluk  Tahmasebi; Mohammadhadi  Farahzadi; Sara  Fazeli

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20255

Amin Barazandeh Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Isfahan, Iran
Maedeh Khorasani Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Isfahan, Iran
Moluk Tahmasebi Department of Human Resources, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Mohammadhadi Farahzadi Department of psychiatry, Research center of addiction and behavioral sciences, Shahid Sadoughi, University of medical sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Sara Fazeli Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v9i2.20255

Keywords: Emotional exhaustion, Chronic fatigue, Health-promoting lifestyle, Nurses.

Abstract

Background: The present study aims to investigate the moderating role of health-promoting lifestyle in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue in nurses.

Methods: This was a descriptive correlational study and the statistical population of this study included nurses at Sinai Hospital and Heart Center in Isfahan who were working in the winter of 2022. Based on the Krejci and Morgan’s table, 280 questionnaires were distributed among the sample members, of which 266 questionnaires could be analyzed statistically. The data collection tools included the Maslach Emotional Exhaustion Questionnaire, the Chalder Chronic Fatigue Questionnaire, and the Walker Health-Promoting Lifestyle. Data analysis was conducted using two software programs: SPSS and Smart PLS.

Results: The results demonstrated that nurses' chronic fatigue was significantly improved by emotional exhaustion (β = 0.146, p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was discovered that a healthier lifestyle had a greater impact on lowering chronic fatigue (β = -0.393, p < 0.001). An acceptable fit was shown by the model fit indices (SRMR = 0.080, NFI = 0.928, R²= 0.42). Furthermore, the moderating effect of a healthy lifestyle was validated, showing that increased participation in healthy behaviors lessened the effect of emotional exhaustion on chronic fatigue.

Conclusion: The results showed that a health-promoting lifestyle can play a moderating role in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue in nurses; therefore, paying attention to factors affecting the increase in a health-promoting lifestyle can be considered in improving the conditions of nurses who are exposed to burnout and chronic fatigue and improve their performance.