Predicting Factors of Burnout Among Frontline Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

            The COVID-19 pandemic has created a dramatic global disruption and impact of burnout among frontline nurses. Frontline nurses have faced substantial physical and psychological distress during this period. This research aimed to identify the predicting factors of burnout among frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional study design. The sample comprised 195 frontline nurses. The participants were recruited through snowball sampling based on predetermined inclusion criteria. The researcher collected data via an electronic online survey distributed through QR code-linked questionnaires. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 5 parts: 1) Demographic data, 2) Resilience Quotient, 3) Stress Test (ST5), 4) Perceived Organizational Support, and 5) Maslach Burnout Inventory (BMI) in its Thai version. The reliability coefficients of parts 2-5 were 0.82, 0.95, 0.90, and 0.88 respectively. Descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings showed that 85.6% of frontline nurses experienced a high level of burnout in the dimension of professional efficacy, while emotional exhaustion and cynicism were at lower levels of 77.4% and 54.9%, respectively. Significant predictive factors of burnout in the emotional exhaustion dimension included organizational rewards and job conditions. 34.9% of the variation in burnout within the emotional exhaustion dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = 0.349). Significant predictive factors of burnout in the cynicism dimension included stress and job conditions. 30.5% of the variation in burnout within the cynicism dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = 0.305). Significant predictive factors of burnout in the professional efficacy dimension included organizational commitment, resilience, and supervisor support, respectively. 16.2% of the variation in burnout within the professional efficacy dimension could be attributed to the set of study variables (adjusted R² = .162). Therefore, organizations should enhance resilience and stress management for nurses under prolonged pressure. They should allocate resources and promote safety in their workplaces, especially in high-risk environments.