Mediating and/or moderating roles of psychological empowerment

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to explore the mediating and/or moderating effects of psychological empowerment in the relationship between structural empowerment and burnout among nurses in China.BackgroundBurnout is prevalent among nurses. Previous studies have found that empowering organizational structures contribute to reduce nurses’ burnout. However, little is known about the mediating or moderating role of psychological empowerment in the relationship between structural empowerment and burnout among nurses in China.MethodsA cross-sectional design was conducted. A total of 244 nurses participated in this study. The data were collected in March 2013. Multiple regressions were used to test the hypothesized models.ResultsPsychological empowerment was found to be a significant mediator of the relationship between structural empowerment and burnout (standardized β = − 0.553, Sobel test: z = 7.79, p < 0.001). The moderating effect of psychological empowerment in that relationship was not verified.ConclusionBoth structural and psychological empowerment negatively correlated with burnout. The psychological empowerment had a mediating effect on burnout.Implications for nursing managementIt is important for nurse managers to develop strategies to ensure that empowering structures are in place and to facilitate nurses’ perception of psychological empowerment.