Can the stress be managed? Stress mindset as a mitigating factor in the influence of job demands on burnout

Abstract

AimDespite the serious consequences of exposure to high job demands for nursing staff, few studies have identified pathways that could reduce the influence of high job demands on burnout. The current study aimed to exaime whether a stress mindset mitigates the positive relationship between job demands and burnout.DesignA cross‐sectional survey was adopted and data were collected employing self‐report questionnaires.MethodsA convenience sample of 676 nurses recruited from six regional hospitals in China were invited to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Psychological Job Demand Scale, the Stress Mindset Scale and the Burnout Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and simple slope analysis were used to examine the moderating role of stress mindset.ResultsHigher job demands were positively linked to burnout, and stress mindset was negatively linked to burnout. Stress mindset moderated the positive relationship between job demands and burnout. Specifically, compared to nurses with a stress‐is‐debilitating mindset, the relationship will be smaller for nurses holding a stress‐is‐enhancing mindset.Patient or Public ContributionsBased on these findings, nursing leaders should foster nurses' stress‐is‐enhancing mindset, which can ameliorate the adverse effect of job demands.