Psychological detachment from work during nonwork time as a moderator and mediator of the relationship of workload with fatigue and sleep in hospital nurses

Objectives To examine differences in psychological detachment from work during nonwork time by nurses' personal and work-related characteristics, and to examine the moderating and mediating effects of psychological detachment on the relationships between nursing workload and fatigue and sleep. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design with a self-administered online survey. Survey data from 827 hospital nurses providing direct patient care in the United States were used. Moderating and mediating effects of psychological detachment between workload and fatigue/sleep relationships were assessed using Hayes' PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results There were significant differences in psychological detachment from work based on age, highest nursing degree, work experience, shift length, weekly work hours, and frequency of providing care to patients with COVID-19. The associations of workload with physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and sleep quality were weakened when psychological detachment was high. Psychological detachment statistically mediated the associations between workload and fatigue and sleep problems. Conclusion Healthcare organizations are encouraged to facilitate nurses' psychological detachment during time-off to protect them from fatigue and sleep problems.