Exploring the Relationship Between Burnout, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Factors Among Nurses

Abstract

Background and aims: Nursing is a demanding profession associated with high levels of stress and burnout. In this study, a theoretical model was applied to investigate structural associations among burnout, mental health, and workplace psychosocial factors for nurses working in Isfahan province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 nurses in Iran selected using a stratified sampling method. The required data were collected using the General Health Questionnaires, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and then analyzed by SPSS-24 and Amos-24 software, correlation tests, and structural equation modeling. Results: Burnout was significantly correlated with poorer mental health, with the highest correlation coefficient related to the component of personal burnout (r = 0.30, P < 0.001). The results of the model revealed that burnout negatively impacted mental health (β = 0.33, P = 0.001) and psychosocial factors (β =-0.90, P = 0.001). However, burnout did not have a significant indirect effect on psychosocial factors through mental health (P = 0.08). Conclusion: Higher burnout levels were associated with poorer mental health and adverse workplace psychosocial conditions. Accordingly, organizational interventions should focus on reducing burnout to promote mental health and psychosocial factors. © 2025 The Author(s).