The moderating effect of social support on the relationship between emotional labor and nursing performance in general hospital

Abstract

Purpose: The present study was conducted to determine the influence of social support on the relationship between emotional labor and nursing performance of general hospital nurses. Methods: Data collection was conducted at three general hospitals in Jeollabuk-do from August 10 to 25, 2017. Collected questionnaires (188 nurses) were analyzed based on percentages, means, SD, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé, Pearson correlation analysis, and moderated regression analysis using SPSS Statistics 24.0 software. Results: Social support was found to moderate the influence of nurses’ emotional labor on nursing performance. That is, high level of social support can reduce the negative effect of emotional labor on nursing performance. Conclusion: Based on findings in the present study, it can be said that establishing positive organizational culture through harmonious social support at the work site is necessary to improve nursing performance. In addition, measures to effectively improve social support need to be explored and practiced at the work site. Efforts should be made to come up with strategies to properly cope with and overcome emotional labor. The results of this study suggest the scope for further research to identify additional variables that moderate or mediate the relationship between emotional labor and nursing performance.