The relationship between perceived organizational support and presenteeism among pediatric nurses in China: professional identity plays a mediating role

Nurses have become one of the groups with a high incidence of presenteeism. To date, little is known about the current state of presenteeism among pediatric nurses and the underlying mechanisms linking perceived organizational support to presenteeism. This study aims to examine the correlation between perceived organizational support and presenteeism and to test the mediating role of professional identity in this relationship among Chinese pediatric nurses using a cross-sectional design. This research investigated 485 pediatric nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Weifang City, Shandong Province, China. Data analyses were conducted using independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance, multivariate linear regression, and the Process 4.0 macro. The total score of presenteeism was (14.91 ± 5.05). Correlation analysis showed that perceived organizational support(r=-0.307, P<0.001), professional identity(r = 0.344, P<0.001)and presenteeism showed a negative correlation. Regression analysis showed that nurses’ children’s situation (β = 0.153, t = 3.122, P = 0.002) had a significant positive effect on hidden absenteeism, and the presence of an administrative position (β=-0.103, t=-2.149, P = 0.032), instrumental support (t=-2.650, P = 0.008), and perceived professional benefits (β=-0.023, t=-2.501, P = 0.013) had a significant negative effect. The mediation analysis indicated that professional identity (Effect=-0.076, 95%CI=[-0.297, -0.017]), partially mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and presenteeism, with the mediating effect accounting for 39.2%. The findings demonstrate that professional identity partially mediates the effect of perceived organizational support on presenteeism. Interventions aimed at providing tangible instrumental support and enhancing perceptions of professional benefits could be effective strategies for mitigating presenteeism among pediatric nurses.