Understanding job burnout and its associated factors among physician mothers in China: a mixed-methods study

Physician burnout can adversely affect physicians’ well-being and the quality of patient care. Physician mothers, defined as female physicians who had at least one child or were currently pregnant, may experience demands arising from both professional and family roles. However, burnout and its associated factors among physician mothers in China remain insufficiently studied. This study assessed the prevalence of job burnout and examined associated factors among physician mothers in China, using the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model as an organizing and interpretive framework. The study was conducted in Shenzhen, China, using an explanatory mixed-methods design. In the quantitative phase, 533 physician mothers completed self-administration online survey, covering sociodemographic, work-related, family-related, health-behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Descriptive analysis and univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. In the qualitative phase, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 physician mothers, 10 spouses, and 2 hospital administrators. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted to identify key themes related to factors associated with job burnout. Overall, 43.3% of physician mothers reported job burnout. In the multivariable analysis, older age, higher job satisfaction, greater resilience, and higher social support were associated with lower odds of burnout, whereas higher professional title, higher work–family conflict, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms were associated with higher odds of burnout. The qualitative phase identified two main themes and eight sub-themes. Job demands contributing to burnout including excessive workload and task intensity, workplace and career-development pressure, work–family role conflict, and psychological strain associated with competing responsibilities. Job resources supporting well-being including organizational support and workplace flexibility, emotional and practical support from spouses and family members, self-care and health behaviors, and emotional regulation, resilience, and personal growth. Job burnout was common among physician mothers in this study and was associated with occupational and family context, psychological strain, and the availability of interpersonal and personal resources. The findings support a cross-domain and multilevel application of the JD-R model that considers family demands and resources alongside occupational conditions. Not applicable.