The Relationship of Workload With Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Nurses: The Mediating Role of Psychological Detachment From Work During Non-Work Time

The present study aimed to examine the impact of workload on nurses’ fatigue and sleep quality, considering the mediating role of psychological detachment from work during non-work hours. This research employed a descriptive–correlational design. The statistical population consisted of nurses working in hospitals in the city of Shahroud (323 individuals), from whom 97 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) for workload assessment, the Maslach Burnout Inventory for occupational fatigue, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for sleep quality, and the Psychological Detachment from Work Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation test, and structural equation modeling (SEM) with SPSS and AMOS software. The findings showed that nurses’ workload had a direct and significant effect on fatigue and negatively influenced their sleep quality. Moreover, psychological detachment from work played an effective mediating role in the relationship between workload and both fatigue and sleep quality. Structural equation analysis indicated that workload had a positive and significant impact on psychological detachment from work (β = 0.48, p < 0.01), and psychological detachment significantly reduced fatigue (β = 0.45, p < 0.01) and improved sleep quality (β = 0.19, p > 0.05). Additionally, the indirect effect of workload through psychological detachment was significant in reducing fatigue (β = 0.067, p < 0.05) and improving sleep quality (β = 0.025, p < 0.05). Model fit indices confirmed the adequacy of the conceptual model with the data. Based on these findings, strengthening psychological detachment skills among nurses can help reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality, thereby enhancing their psychological well-being and job performance.