Exploring the Link Between Work-Related Psychosocial Factors and Professional Quality of Life among Ethiopian Healthcare Workers: Insights from Structural Equation Modelling Analyses

Abstract

Work-related psychosocial factors increase the likelihood of poor professional quality of life (PQoL) outcomes, which are composed of three subscales burnout (BO), compassion fatigue(CF), and low compassion satisfaction (CS). However, studies on the impact of work-related psychosocial factors and the mediating role of workplace social support on PQoL in Ethiopian healthcare workers are limited. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the link between work-related factors and three subscales of PQoL, and assess the mediational role of workplace social support. Our findings indicate that exposure to higher job demands increases burnout, a key dimension of PQoL. This occurs when health workers face excessive job demands but lack organizational or personal resources to manage them. As a result, their mental and physical reserves become depleted, leading to chronic work-related exhaustion, personal inefficacy, and frustration -ultimately resulting in burnout.