Determinants of Emotional Exhaustion in Nurses During Crises

Research on emotional exhaustion (EE) among Lebanese registered nurses (RNs) during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking, despite the extensive literature addressing EE within the healthcare workforce. This study explores the relationships between EE, self-confidence in learning (SCL), coping strategies, and perceived organizational support (POS).

A cross-sectional study analyzed a convenience sample of 82 RNs in medium-to-large acute care settings providing direct COVID-19 patient care. Data were gathered through an online survey that measured sociodemographic, SCL, POS, coping strategies, and EE. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multiple linear regression to identify EE predictors.

Most participants were female (79.0%), married (56.1%), employed in the private sector (85.4%), and located in Beirut (63.4%). Bivariate analysis indicated that problem-focused coping (β = .32; p = .017) and dysfunctional coping (β = .38; p = .019) were positively associated with EE, while POS (β = -.21; p = .002) and marriage (β = .36; p = .040) were negatively related to EE. The final regression model explained 32% of variance in EE (p < .001), showing that POS (β = -.18; p = .007) and emotion-focused coping (β = -.74; p = .001) were associated with lower EE levels, while problem-focused coping (β = .60; p = .003) correlated with higher EE levels.

POS and emotion-focused coping were protective factors against EE, while problem focus strategies increased EE levels. This highlights the need for enhanced organizational support and tailored coping interventions to mitigate burnout among nurses.

Healthcare organizations should prioritize psychological support and resilience training to address EE among nurses. Policies should promote emotion-focused coping and reduce problem-focused coping strategies to enhance workforce well-being and retention.