The mediating role of problem-solving skills in the relationship between job meaning and job burnout among nurses

In the current situation, due to the  exposure of nurses with the corona epidemic, there is porbably too much work pressure on them, which can be a reason for the increase in job burnout among them. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of problem solving skills in the relationship between job meaning and job burnout among nurses during the corona epidemic.

This descriptive correlational study was performed using structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the present study included all the nurses who were working in Imam Khomeini Abadeh and Khatam-Al-Anbiya Abarkooh hospitals during the corona epidemic in 2021-2022. From these, a sample of 220 nurses was selected using available sampling method. In order to collect data, the Work and Meaning Inventory of Stiger et al. (2012), burnout questionnaire of Yildirim and Solmaz (2020), and Basader’s (1999) problem solving questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling.

The results of the study confirmed the direct relationship between the variables of job meaning and job burnout, as well as the mediating role of problem solving skills in the relationship between job meaning and job burnout among nurses during the corona epidemic (p<0.001).

The job burnout in nurses can be reduced by increasing job meaning and improving problem-solving skills, and it leads to an increase in the quality of medical care and patient satisfaction.