Emotional labour and turnover intention among nurses in China: Mediating effects of nurse–patient relationship and self‐rated health

Abstract Aim This study tested the mediating role of the nurse–patient relationship and self‐rated health in the effect of emotional labour on turnover intention among nurses in China. Background The underlying mechanism behind the effect of emotional labour on turnover intention remains inadequately understood. Introduction Nurses with a high level of emotional labour are predisposed to experiencing poor health and tension in their relationships with patients, which may increase turnover intention. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of 527 nurses in a public tertiary hospital in Qiqihar, located in China's Heilongjiang province, was conducted. Emotional labour and turnover intention were assessed using existing validated scales containing multiple items, while the nurse–patient relationship and self‐rated health were assessed using single items, respectively. Baron and Kenny's causal steps and the Karlson/Holm/Breen method were adopted to test the mediating effects of the nurse–patient relationship and self‐rated health in the association between emotional labour and turnover intention after adjusting for variations in sociodemographic and job characteristics. Results Emotional labour was positively associated with turnover intention. Self‐rated poor health and a disharmonious nurse–patient relationship partially mediated the positive effect of emotional labour on turnover intention. Conclusions Emotional labour significantly affects the turnover intention of nurses working in public tertiary hospitals in China, and this effect is partially mediated by self‐rated health and the nurse–patient relationship. Implications for nursing practice and nursing policy Giving more attention to nurses’ negative emotions and work attitudes is crucial. Developing comprehensive strategies for enhancing nurses’ emotional management ability, promoting their physical and psychological well‐being, and improving nurse–patient relationship to reduce nurses’ turnover.