A network analysis of self-compassion and burnout in a sample of nurses

Abstract

Background In the nursing profession, the concept of self-compassion has been associated with burnout. However, to date, the fine-grained relationships between different dimensions of self-compassion and symptoms of burnout have not been investigated. Network analysis provides a new avenue for exploring the fine-grained correlation paths of two related variables.

Aim To analyse the nuanced associations between self-compassion and burnout using network analysis in a large cohort of Chinese nurses.

Design A cross-sectional multi-centre survey design study.

Methods Participants were recruited from 30 hospitals in China between April and May 2022. These nurses completed the Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (C-MBI-GS) and Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). Network analysis was performed to illustrate the complex nuanced relationships between self-compassion and burnout.

Results A total of 1467 nurses (age 32.2 [18–56] years; 89.9% were female) participated in the study. Nodes <i>Mindfulness</i> and <i>Isolation</i> had the highest centralities measured by strength. Nodes <i>Mindfulness</i>, <i>reduced personal accomplishment</i> and <i>Isolation</i> were the most negative and positive influential nodes that bridged self-compassion and burnout. There were no differences in terms of gender, age, professional title and job tenure in the structure or connectivity of the self-compassion and burnout network.

Conclusion Different components of self-compassion were specifically associated with different dimensions of burnout in registered nurses. Among these, <i>Mindfulness</i>, <i>Isolation</i> and <i>Reduced personal accomplishment</i> were the three most important components of self-compassion for burnout symptoms.

Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.

Impact Understanding the intricate connections between self-compassion and burnout will allow hospital administrators to prioritize the elements of <i>Mindfulness</i> and <i>Isolation</i> within self-compassion and the dimension of <i>Reduced personal accomplishment</i> within burnout when designing preventative measures and interventions aimed at reducing nurse burnout.