The relationship between alexithymia and burnout in nurses: A cross-sectional study

This study evaluated the relationship between alexithymia and job burnout in nurses, providing practical insights for healthcare professionals. The present research employed a cross-sectional design to examine this relationship among nurses employed at medical training centers in Rasht City during 2021-2022. The data collection instruments utilized in this study included the personal and occupational profile questionnaire, the Toronto alexithymia scale, and the Maslach burnout inventory. A multi-stage sampling method was employed proportionate to the population size, and ultimately, convenience sampling was utilized. A total of 258 nurses participated in this research. The study found that the average age of the nurses is 35.99 (standard deviation [SD]=8.19) years, with an average work experience of 11.78 (SD=7.40) years. The mean total alexithymia score among the nurses studied was 51.2 (SD=9.6). The average score for the emotional exhaustion dimension was 20.2 (SD=12.3), the average score for the depersonalization dimension was 3.5 (SD=6.3), and the average score for the personal accomplishment dimension was 32.0 (SD=10.2). The study also revealed a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between the total alexithymia and emotional exhaustion scores (r=0.272, P<0.001). A moderately significant positive correlation was also observed between the total alexithymia and depersonalization scores (r=0.441, P<0.001). A moderately significant negative correlation was found between the total alexithymia score and the personal accomplishment score among the nurses studied (r=0.345, P<0.001). In conclusion, the study calls for nursing managers and policymakers to prioritize mental health support and training programs tailored to the needs of nurses, thereby empowering them to enhance their well-being and resilience and ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more resilient healthcare workforce.