Haiping Li, Yingzhen Zhong
BACKGROUND: The rapid integration of digital technologies in healthcare has led to increased stress for nurses, contributing to emotional exhaustion and occupational burnout. However, the mediating role of emotional exhaustion in the relationship between digital technology stress (DTS) and burnout remains unclear. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of emotional exhaustion in the relationship between DTS and occupational burnout among nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 339 nurses from Mid-State Hospital. Emotional exhaustion, DTS and occupational burnout were measured using standardized tools. Mediation analysis was performed to examine the direct and indirect effects between the variables. RESULTS: Results revealed moderate levels of emotional exhaustion (M = 30.16, SD = 11.58), DTS (M = 185.25, SD = 60.30) and occupational burnout (M = 78.21, SD = 25.78). Emotional exhaustion was significantly associated with DTS (β = 3.29) and burnout (β = 1.52). DTS was also positively associated with burnout (β = 0.07). Mediation analysis indicated that emotional exhaustion was directly associated with burnout (β = 1.52), and DTS mediated this relationship (indirect effect = 0.24, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Emotional exhaustion was directly and indirectly associated with occupational burnout through DTS. This highlights the importance of addressing DTS to help mitigate burnout among nurses, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in occupational health management.