Citizenship Fatigue as a Mediator Between Compulsory Citizenship Behavior and Work–Life Balance Among Nurses

Abstract

Introduction

Nurses' compulsory citizenship behaviors can negatively impact work–life balance over time, both directly and through citizenship fatigue.

Design

It is a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Aim

This study aimed to examine the relationships between compulsory citizenship behavior, citizenship fatigue, and work–life balance among nurses.

Methods

Data were collected from 499 nurses working in a public hospital in a provincial setting in İstanbul (Türkiye) between August 1, 2025, and September 20, 2025. Data were collected using the Citizenship Fatigue Scale, the Compulsory Citizenship Behavior Scale, and the Work–Life Balance Scale. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The STROBE reporting method, which is one of the EQUATOR guidelines, was followed.

Results

Nurses reported moderate levels of compulsory citizenship behavior, citizenship fatigue, and work–life balance. Compulsory citizenship behavior was positively associated with citizenship fatigue and negatively associated with work–life balance, while citizenship fatigue was negatively associated with work–life balance (p < 0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that citizenship fatigue partially mediated the relationship between compulsory citizenship behavior and work–life balance (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compulsory citizenship behavior and citizenship fatigue are key organizational factors that undermine nurses' ability to maintain a healthy work–life balance by accelerating resource loss processes.

Clinical Relevance

This study aims to guide the development of strategies that reduce citizenship fatigue and improve work–life balance by examining the relationship between nurses' workloads and their voluntary behaviors in the clinic.