# Direct and Interactive Effects of Work Stress and Professional Identity on Job Burnout Among Elderly Care Workers for Old People in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study examines how work stress and professional identity affect job burnout in elderly care workers in China.

## Contribution

It identifies an interactive effect between work stress and professional identity on job burnout.

## Key findings

- Work stress was positively correlated with job burnout.
- Professional identity showed a negative correlation with job burnout.
- An interaction effect was found between rewards-responsibilities stress and professional identity on burnout.

## Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationships between work stress, professional identity, and job burnout in elderly care workers and to assess whether work stress and professional identity interact to influence job burnout. Methods: A survey of 439 elderly care workers was conducted from July to September 2021. T-tests and ANOVA were used to identify the main different characteristics involved in work stress and professional identity, and four multiple regression models were used to identify the determinants of job burnout. Results: Work stress and professional identity were moderate among respondents. Work stress positively correlated with job burnout, while professional identity showed a negative correlation. An interactive effect was found between the sub-dimension of work stress concerning the consistency between rewards and responsibilities and professional identity on job burnout. Conclusions: Managers in pension institutions should focus on addressing work stress and professional identity, especially balancing alignment between rewards and responsibilities.