2026 Volume 46 Pages 24-32
Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship among stressor associated with patient interaction (patient-related stressor), emotion work, and emotional exhaustion in psychiatric nurses.
Methods: Data from 162 psychiatric nurses(mean age: 38.24 ± 11.59 years) were analyzed to examine the relationship among patient-related stressor, emotion work (negative and empathetic/positive emotional expression towards patients), and emotional exhaustion using covariance structure analysis.
Results: The analysis revealed that patient-related stressor was directly associated with emotional exhaustion and also demonstrated a significant positive association with emotional exhaustion mediated by negative emotional expression towards patients. Moreover, while patient-related stressor demonstrated a significant positive association with empathetic/positive emotional expression towards patients, empathetic/positive emotional expression towards patients were not significantly associated with emotional exhaustion.
Conclusion: To mitigate emotional exhaustion, it would be effective to alleviate negative emotional expression towards patients by promoting the regulation of negative emotions caused by patient-related stressor.
