Emotional labor and occupational well-being among endoscopy healthcare workers: a moderated serial mediation model

Occupational well-being among healthcare professionals is a key indicator of healthcare quality and workforce sustainability. However, the mechanisms linking emotional labor to occupational well-being among endoscopy healthcare workers remain insufficiently understood.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional labor and occupational well-being and to explore the underlying mechanisms using a moderated serial mediation model.

A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and February 2026 among 364 endoscopy healthcare workers in China. Validated instruments were used to assess emotional labor, job control, work engagement, organizational support, and occupational well-being. Pearson correlation, regression analysis, and bootstrap methods were employed to test mediation and moderation effects.

Emotional labor was significantly negatively associated with occupational well-being (r = -0.325, p < 0.001). Job control and work engagement played significant mediating roles in this relationship. Specifically, the indirect effect through job control was significant (effect = -0.119, 95% CI: -0.182 to -0.056), as was the indirect effect through work engagement (effect = -0.046, 95% CI: -0.091 to -0.001). In addition, a significant serial mediation effect was observed through job control and work engagement (effect = -0.107, 95% CI: -0.163 to -0.051), with a significant total indirect effect (effect = -0.272, 95% CI: -0.380 to -0.164). Organizational support significantly moderated the relationship between emotional labor and job control (β = 0.018, p < 0.001), such that higher levels of organizational support attenuated the negative effect of emotional labor on job control.

Emotional labor is associated with occupational well-being among endoscopy healthcare workers through correlational pathways. Job control and work engagement serve as key mediating mechanisms, while organizational support functions as an important buffering resource. Interventions aimed at reducing excessive emotional labor demands and strengthening job resources may contribute to improved occupational well-being among healthcare professionals.