Work-family conflict among primary health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Its mediating role in the relationship between workload and job burnout

Abstract

Aims and objectives: This study explores the situation of workload, work-family conflict and job burnout among primary health workers in China in the context of COVID-19 and identifies the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Background: Since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary health workers have been working on the frontline of the epidemic and may experience increasing workload, work-family conflict and job burnout. It is important to focus on the issue of how to alleviate job burnout of primary health workers.

Design: A cross-sectional study (STROBE) was used.

Methods: Data were collected from 785 primary health workers in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Results: 18.7%, 10.4% and 39.5% of respondents had high job burnout in the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment, respectively. 34.6% of the respondents had high or very high workload, and 12.8% of the respondents had high or very high work-family conflict. Results of multiple regression analysis indicated that work-family conflict mediated the relationship between workload and job burnout. Workload (β = .163, CI = .207-.549) and work-family conflict (β = .211, CI = .311-.640) positively influenced job burnout, and workload (β = .428, CI = .375-.508) positively influenced work-family conflict.

Conclusion: The study indicated that primary health workers experienced a high level of job burnout, especially in the personal accomplishment dimension. Furthermore, this study verified the mediating effect of work-family conflict between workload and job burnout.

Relevance to clinical practice: Some interventions for alleviating workload, work-family conflict and job burnout should be taken, including workplace assistance programmes, family-friendly policies and a well-integrated healthcare system.

No patient or public contribution: This study does not involve patient or public contribution in any part.

Impact statement: Nurses and other primary health workers are health gatekeepers of residents and play a vital role in the healthcare system. Due to the breakout of COVID-19, they have taken more work and are more vulnerable to work overload, work-family conflict and the consequent job burnout. Some interventions should be taken to effectively alleviate their job burnout and improve their health and performance.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; job burnout; primary health workers; work-family conflict; workload.