The Mediating Effects of COVID-19 Infection Control Fatigue on Quiet Quitting: Focusing on Organisational Justice, Role Ambiguity and Job Satisfaction.

AIM

This study explored the mediating effects of organisational justice, role ambiguity and job satisfaction on the relationship between infection control-associated fatigue and quiet quitting.

DESIGN

This study used an exploratory cross-sectional survey design.

METHODS

Between 1 February and 29 February 2024, data were collected from 323 nurses-who worked in general or tertiary hospitals during the pandemic-using an online self-report questionnaire distributed via a popular nursing community platform. Path analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of infection control fatigue on quiet quitting.

RESULTS

Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between quiet quitting and organisational justice and positive relationships with job satisfaction, role ambiguity and infection control fatigue. Infection control-associated fatigue was associated with quiet quitting (B = 0.1117, p < 0.05). Job satisfaction (IE = 0.1397, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.0795-0.2031) and organisational justice (IE = -0.0455, 95% CI: -0.0938 to -0.0051) mediated the relationship between infection control-associated fatigue and quiet quitting, whereas role ambiguity did not. The total indirect effect of mediators on quiet quitting was positive (IE = 0.0978, 95% confidence interval: 0.0357-0.1623).

CONCLUSION

Quiet quitting increased among nurses experiencing infection control fatigue during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, with job satisfaction and organisational justice acting as mediators.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Increasing job satisfaction and achieving organisational justice may help improve the quality of nursing and mitigate quiet quitting. Hospitals must find ways to improve nurses' work and increase their satisfaction. No Patient or Public Contribution.