The Mediation Impact of Compassion Competence on the Link Between Mindfulness and Job Burnout in Nurses: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Abstract

AimsThis study explores the link between mindfulness, compassion competence and job burnout among nurses, and analyses the mediating role that compassion competence plays in this relationship.BackgroundUnderstanding nurses' mindfulness, compassion competence and job burnout is important, which could help devise interventions to relieve burnout in clinical nurses.MethodsThis study adopts convenience sampling method and descriptive design quantitative research. A cross‐sectional study of 513 nurses was conducted from June to October 2023 in mainland China. The Socio‐demographic Questionnaire, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Service Survey and Compassion Competence Scale for the Nurses were utilised to gather basic demographic information on nurses and to evaluate their level of mindfulness, compassion competence and job burnout. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation analyses and structural equation model were used to analyse the data.ResultsFive hundred and thirteen valid questionnaires were gathered. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a strong negative link between mindfulness and job burnout, and between compassion competence and burnout, and a significant positive correlation between mindfulness and compassion competence. The results of the mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between mindfulness and job burnout was partially mediated by compassion competence, and the mediating effect accounted for 18.6% of the total effect.ConclusionCompassion competence performed as a partial mediator between mindfulness and job burnout among nurses. Nursing managers could enhance nurses' mindfulness level and compassion competence through Mindfulness interventions and Compassion training to reduce their burnout.Relevance to Clinical PracticeThis study offers a fresh viewpoint on enhancing clinical nurses' compassion competence and reducing job burnout. Healthcare organisations and medical institutions can mitigate nurses' job burnout by improving their mindfulness levels and compassion competence.Reporting MethodThe study used the STROBE checklist for reporting.Patient or Public ContributionAll participants were nurses who completed an electronic questionnaire related to this study.