Is COVID-19 related workload related to Chinese social workers’ mental health? A moderated mediation model of compassion burnout and emotional regulation

COVID-19-related workload is a significant determinant of social worker mental health, with limited exploration of the underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the mediating role of compassion burnout and the moderating effect of emotional regulation among 1023 Chinese social workers. Compassion burnout partially mediates the COVID-19 workload–depression relationship, while emotional regulation moderates this link and the impact of compassion burnout on depression. Notably, social workers with higher emotional regulation exhibit reduced susceptibility. This research advances our understanding of the COVID-19 workload’s impact on mental health and offers policy and organizational-level recommendations for safeguarding Chinese social workers’ well-being.