The Impact of Emotional Contagion Susceptibility on Burnout Levels and Job Satisfaction Among Nurses Caring for Patients in the Terminal Phase

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of nurses' susceptibility to emotional contagion on burnout levels and job satisfaction levels of nurses working in terminal patient care. Methods: The relationships between the scales were examined with structural equation model analysis. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to investigate whether nurses' susceptibility to emotional contagion, job satisfaction, and burnout differed according to their socio-demographic characteristics. Results: As a result of the analysis, it was determined that susceptibility to emotional contagion significantly (p < .001) affected job satisfaction negatively (β = -.04) and burnout positively (β = .23). There is also a significant negative relationship (β = -.38) between job satisfaction and burnout. In addition, it was found that the nurses' susceptibility to emotional contagion differed in Happiness and Sadness Factors according to years of employment (Hotelling's Trace: 3.96; F: 1.79; p < .001) and unit of employment (Hotelling's Trace: 11.79; F: 1.33; p < .001) Conclusions: Being in a long-term relationship with terminal patients reduces nurses' job satisfaction and causes them to experience burnout. Managing nurses should consider the emotional contagion factor as well as the unit conditions when distributing tasks.