The relationship between social support and burnout among ICU nurses in Shanghai: A cross-sectional study

Objective

The associations between social support and burnout were explored in ICU nurses of Shanghai.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study of 356 ICU nurses by applying random cluster sampling. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires under the instruction of trained investigators. Data on emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and feelings of low personal accomplishment etc. were collected, calculated and analyzed.

Results

The participants had a mean age of 26.96 years (SD 4.07). The mean value (M) and standard deviation (SD) of emotional exhaustion was M = 31.85, SD = 8.38, those of depersonalisation was M = 11.69, SD = 5.54 and those of feelings of low personal accomplishment was M = 19.79, SD = 7.02. The high degree of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP), and lack of personal accomplishment (PA) were revealed to be 76.4%, 39.6%, and 94.9%, respectively. The major influencing factors of emotional exhaustion included support from co-workers(R = 0.343, T = 1.98, P = 0.049), taking leave (R = −1.182, t = −3.747, P = 0.001), requisition of work (R = −1.41, t = −2.369, P = 0.018), and supervisor support (R = −0.524, t = −3.926, P = 0.001). The major influencing factors of depersonalisation were support from the supervisor (R = −0.333, t = −4.146, P = 0.001), age (R = −0.89, t = −2.272, P = 0.024) and requisition of work (R = −0.148, t = −2.124, P = 0.034). There was a positive co-relationship between personal accomplishment and supervisor support.

Conclusions

Supervisor support, age, and requisition of work were the major influencing factors of depersonalisation. In addition, supervisor support plays an important role in low personal accomplishment. Further research should focus on supervisor support, co-worker support, time on leave, and requisition of work associated with emotional exhaustion.