The Relationships and Mediating Effects of Work-Life Factors on Acute and Chronic Fatigue Among Nurses

Fatigue is a prevalent occupational health concern among nurses. Inadequate recovery from acute fatigue may contribute to persistent fatigue, while work-related and life-related factors may influence this process.

To examine factors associated with chronic fatigue and the mediating roles of life-related factors in the association between acute and chronic fatigue among Taiwanese nurses.

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 322 clinical nurses were recruited through online forums and social media groups and completed a web-based questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, work-related factors, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, and occupational fatigue. Analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, hierarchical multiple regression, and partial least squares structural equation modeling with bootstrapping were used.

Acute fatigue was strongly correlated with chronic fatigue (r = 0.70), whereas intershift recovery was negatively correlated with chronic fatigue (r = -0.58). The addition of intershift recovery significantly increased the explained variance in chronic fatigue by 2.0% beyond acute fatigue and work-related factors. Life-related factors further increased the explained variance by 2.6%, while intershift recovery remained negatively associated with chronic fatigue in the adjusted model (β = -0.19, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis further showed significant indirect associations through interpersonal support and stress management, whereas the indirect effect through physical activity was not significant.

Acute fatigue is strongly associated with chronic fatigue, while adequate intershift recovery and psychosocial and lifestyle-related factors may be important in limiting fatigue accumulation.

Nurse managers should support adequate recovery between shifts, manage psychological work demands, and strengthen interpersonal support and stress-management resources to reduce persistent fatigue and promote nurses' long-term well-being.