Emotional labour in nursing research: A bibliometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Psychology
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Emotional labor is a critical factor influencing nursing staff well-being and patient care quality.
• Understanding the evolution and thematic focus of research in this area is essential for evidence-based practice and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of emotional labor research in nursing.
• To explore the trajectory and thematic developments of this research field from 1992 to 2023.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric and descriptive analysis techniques were employed.
• Data were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC).
• Analysis and graphical presentation were performed using the Bibliometrix Package in R software.

Main Results:

• A total of 842 authors contributed to 779 articles between 1992 and 2023, showing an annual growth rate of 11.71%.
• Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified key research areas: antecedents and consequences of emotional labor, regulatory modalities, training and education, and research methodologies.

Conclusions:

• Emotional labor significantly impacts nursing staff well-being and patient care outcomes.
• Effective management and education strategies for emotional labor are crucial for improving nursing performance and patient care.
• Future research should investigate long-term effects, training efficacy, and innovative regulatory strategies.