The moderating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between burnout and depression among nursing staff: a human rights concern in Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to see the role of life satisfaction in the relationship between burnout and depression among nurses to highlight the human rights norms for institutions, as well as practitioners within the health sector to improve life satisfaction among nurses. Design/methodology/approach This was a survey-based study. Data was collected by using well-established questionnaires. The sample (N = 250) comprising nurses taken from different public and private hospitals of Islamabad. Participants were both male (n = 125) and female nurses (n = 125), with age range 20–51 (M = 29.95, SD = 4.95) years. The data was collected by using the convenient sampling technique from different government and private hospitals of Islamabad from September 2017 to December 2017. Findings Bivariate correlation analysis revealed that burnout was positively associated with depression and negatively associated with life satisfaction. Moreover, depression was negatively associated with life satisfaction. Moderation analysis demonstrated that life satisfaction moderated the relationship between burnout and depression. Female nurses scored high on burnout as compared to male nurses. Research limitations/implications The use of self-report measures and the cross-sectional nature of the study design are the limitations of the study. The findings contribute by recognizing the various factors affecting the performance of nursing staff specifically in developing countries such as Pakistan. Practical implications This study demonstrated the vital implication of factors reducing depression among nursing staff through life satisfaction. Health care organizations should take measures to condense the level of burnout, make and boost a caring and fair working atmosphere to improve the level of life satisfaction, and therefore, reduce the negative emotions associated with burnout. It is concluded that life satisfaction may buffer the effect of burnout and subsequent depression. Originality/value This study has extended the prevailing literature by recognizing the moderating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between burnout and depression among nursing staff specifically highlighting their human rights in the Pakistani context.