Does patient death and suffering deplete or energize ICU healthcare professionals? Daily interaction of harmonious and obsessive passion.

Abstract

This study examined the moderating role of daily harmonious passion (HP) and obsessive passion (OP) in the association between daily contact with patient death and suffering, and daily burnout and vitality. Grounded in job demands-resources theory, HP was expected to serve as a personal resource, reducing burnout and enhancing vitality. Conversely, OP was anticipated to function as a personal demand, exerting opposite effects. Motivational synergy theory suggested that higher levels of both HP and OP would interact synergistically to mitigate burnout and foster vitality. A daily diary study with 100 ICU professionals over five workdays revealed that HP prevented burnout and enhanced vitality among employees facing death and suffering. OP alone showed no effect, but when combined with daily HP, it strengthened vitality derived from such exposure. Findings highlight the need of cultivating HP and aligning organizational goals with ICU professionals' well-being amid daily contact with patient death and suffering.