Work-Related Information and Communication Technologies Use After-Hours and Nurse Work Withdrawal Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model.

BACKGROUND

The widespread adoption of information technology made the work-related use of information and communication technologies after hours (W_ICTs) a prevalent source of occupational stress among nurses. Grounded in conservation of resources theory and the effort-recovery model, this study constructed a moderated mediation model to examine the impact of W_ICTs on nurses' work withdrawal behavior, with a specific focus on the mediating role of job burnout and the moderating role of psychological detachment.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through an online survey between September and December 2025. A total of 869 clinical nurses (mean age = 32.47 ± 5.95 years) from 10 tertiary hospitals in China completed validated scales measuring W_ICTs, job burnout, psychological detachment, and work withdrawal behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro (Model 8), controlling for gender, age, and professional title. A moderated mediation model was tested.

RESULTS

W_ICTs showed a direct positive association with work withdrawal behavior and an indirect association through job burnout. This mediating effect was consistent for both challenge-oriented and hindrance-oriented communications. Psychological detachment significantly moderated the relationship between W_ICTs and job burnout, attenuating the effect of challenge-oriented W_ICTs but not hindrance-oriented W_ICTs.

CONCLUSION

Job burnout mediates the effect of W_ICTs on nurses' work withdrawal behavior. Psychological detachment moderates this relationship for challenge-oriented but not hindrance-oriented communication. Nursing managers should therefore implement strategies to reduce hindrance-oriented W_ICTs, schedule challenge-oriented communications judiciously, and strengthen nurses' psychological detachment through systematic interventions to reduce job burnout and work withdrawal behavior.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NURSING MANAGEMENT: Reducing W_ICTs, particularly those that are hindrance-oriented, and enhancing nurses' psychological detachment, can reduce job burnout and work withdrawal behavior. Findings inform targeted management strategies to protect nurse well-being and retention in the digital age.