Abstract
BackgroundFatigue is highly prevalent among doctors worldwide. However, no research has been done to examine the associations of emotional intelligence (EI) and emotional labor strategy with fatigue among Chinese doctors. This study aimed to examine whether or not emotional labor strategy mediates the association between EI and fatigue in this occupational group.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenyang from March to April 2014. A set of self-administered questionnaires was distributed to 950 doctors, including Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and a 14-item emotional labor scale. Complete responses were obtained from 740 (77.9%) participants. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to examine the associations of EI and emotional labor strategies (surface acting, SA; deep acting, DA; natural acting, NA) with fatigue. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to examine the mediating roles of emotional labor strategies.ResultsThe mean score of fatigue was 8.02 (SD = 3.39). After adjusting for age, gender, marital status, job rank, monthly income, weekly working time, shift and department, EI was negatively associated with fatigue (β = − 0.270, P < 0.001). SA was positively associated with fatigue (β = 0.168, P < 0.001), whereas NA was negatively associated with fatigue (β = − 0.105, P = 0.004); however, DA was not significantly associated with fatigue (β = 0.034, P = 0.381). Thus, SA (a × b = − 0.026, BCa 95% CI: − 0.050, − 0.011) and NA (a × b = − 0.024, BCa 95% CI: − 0.046, − 0.006) significantly mediated the association between EI and fatigue, respectively.ConclusionsThere was a high level of fatigue among Chinese doctors. EI could indirectly reduce fatigue partially through modifying SA and NA strategies, respectively. EI intervention, education and training in emotional labor should be carried out to cope with fatigue.
Highlights
IntroductionNo research has been done to examine the associations of emotional intelligence (EI) and emotional labor strategy with fatigue among Chinese doctors
Fatigue is highly prevalent among doctors worldwide
In step 3, Surface acting (SA) was positively associated with fatigue (β = 0.168, P < 0.001), whereas natural acting (NA) was negatively associated with fatigue (β = − 0.105, P = 0.004); Deep acting (DA) was not significantly associated with fatigue (β = 0.034, P = 0.381)
Summary
No research has been done to examine the associations of emotional intelligence (EI) and emotional labor strategy with fatigue among Chinese doctors. This study aimed to examine whether or not emotional labor strategy mediates the association between EI and fatigue in this occupational group. The decline of work quality and efficiency caused by fatigue could directly impair patients’ satisfaction with health care services and the doctor-patient relationship. These stressors in turn will aggravate physical and mental fatigues, forming a vicious circle [11]. Great attention should be paid to the etiology of fatigue in order to develop appropriate measures to prevent it among doctors
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