Work-family conflict and coping strategies as predictors of emotional exhaustion in nurses.

BACKGROUND

Nursing is a profession characterized by intensive workloads, shift work, and high emotional demands, often leading to conflicts between work and family roles. Work-family conflict has been associated with emotional exhaustion and coping strategies among nurses.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the relationships between nurses' work-family conflict, emotional exhaustion, and coping attitudes.

METHODS

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 240 nurses working in public hospitals in Türkiye. Data were collected using standardized measurement tools. Correlation analyses, group comparisons, and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. A priori power analysis indicated a minimum sample size of 200 participants.

RESULTS

The mean work-family conflict score was 33.78 ± 11.45, the mean emotional exhaustion score was 20.50 ± 6.49, and the mean coping attitudes score was 83.62 ± 9.73. Work-family conflict emerged as the strongest predictor of emotional exhaustion (β = 0.434, p < .001). Better evaluation of working conditions (β = -0.299, p < .001) and not bringing work-related problems home (β = -0.160, p < .05) were associated with lower emotional exhaustion. The final regression model explained 49.3% of the variance in emotional exhaustion (R2 = 0.493).

CONCLUSION

Work-family conflict was identified as the primary factor associated with emotional exhaustion among nurses. Coping strategies did not remain significant in the final model, suggesting that organizational and role-related factors may play a more central role. These findings highlight the importance of interventions targeting work-family balance and improving working conditions in nursing practice.