Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo explore the complex associations between job burnout, career identity, and work-family support among primary healthcare workers from a network perspective.MethodsData were sourced from primary healthcare institutions in China’s central provinces. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory Com...

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Main Authors: Si-cheng Liu, Yuan Xu, Ming Yang, Jia-yi Sun, Qi-rong Qin, Gui-xia Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1581624/full
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author Si-cheng Liu
Yuan Xu
Ming Yang
Jia-yi Sun
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Gui-xia Fang
Gui-xia Fang
author_facet Si-cheng Liu
Yuan Xu
Ming Yang
Jia-yi Sun
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Gui-xia Fang
Gui-xia Fang
author_sort Si-cheng Liu
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveTo explore the complex associations between job burnout, career identity, and work-family support among primary healthcare workers from a network perspective.MethodsData were sourced from primary healthcare institutions in China’s central provinces. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory Comprehensive Survey, a career identity scale tailored for primary healthcare workers, and the Chinese version of the Work-Family Support Questionnaire. A Gaussian network model was used to identify key factors, with “central nodes” being those that strongly influence others and “bridge nodes” connecting different parts of the network.ResultsOf the 8,135 participants surveyed, 5,120 (62.9%) reported job burnout. Compared to those with burnout, the non-burnout group scored higher in career identity, family support, and work support (54.29 vs. 49.42; 71.58 vs. 61.26; 35.03 vs. 31.20; p < 0.001). Network analysis revealed structural differences in the burnout-support-identity networks between groups after propensity score matching (M = 0.261, p < 0.001). In both groups, “understanding of role, content and requirements” were central nodes, while “work and family support” served as bridge nodes. Burnout was closely related to work support, family support, job suitability, and media criticism.ConclusionTargeting central and bridge nodes can help reduce job burnout among primary healthcare workers.
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spelling doaj-art-8a6596ce19a54c8697488e020305f5ba2025-08-20T03:30:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15816241581624Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional studySi-cheng Liu0Yuan Xu1Ming Yang2Jia-yi Sun3Qi-rong Qin4Qi-rong Qin5Qi-rong Qin6Gui-xia Fang7Gui-xia Fang8School of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaSchool of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaMa’anshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Ma’anshan Health Supervision Institute), Ma’anshan, ChinaThe Affiliated Ma’anshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Anhui Medical University, Ma’anshan, ChinaSchool of Health Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, ChinaInstitute of Hospital Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaObjectiveTo explore the complex associations between job burnout, career identity, and work-family support among primary healthcare workers from a network perspective.MethodsData were sourced from primary healthcare institutions in China’s central provinces. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory Comprehensive Survey, a career identity scale tailored for primary healthcare workers, and the Chinese version of the Work-Family Support Questionnaire. A Gaussian network model was used to identify key factors, with “central nodes” being those that strongly influence others and “bridge nodes” connecting different parts of the network.ResultsOf the 8,135 participants surveyed, 5,120 (62.9%) reported job burnout. Compared to those with burnout, the non-burnout group scored higher in career identity, family support, and work support (54.29 vs. 49.42; 71.58 vs. 61.26; 35.03 vs. 31.20; p < 0.001). Network analysis revealed structural differences in the burnout-support-identity networks between groups after propensity score matching (M = 0.261, p < 0.001). In both groups, “understanding of role, content and requirements” were central nodes, while “work and family support” served as bridge nodes. Burnout was closely related to work support, family support, job suitability, and media criticism.ConclusionTargeting central and bridge nodes can help reduce job burnout among primary healthcare workers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1581624/fulljob burnoutcareer identitywork-family supportscientific perspectivepropensity score matchingprimary healthcare
spellingShingle Si-cheng Liu
Yuan Xu
Ming Yang
Jia-yi Sun
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Qi-rong Qin
Gui-xia Fang
Gui-xia Fang
Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Public Health
job burnout
career identity
work-family support
scientific perspective
propensity score matching
primary healthcare
title Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
title_full Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
title_short Network analysis of work-family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study
title_sort network analysis of work family support and career identity and their associations with job burnout among primary healthcare workers a cross sectional study
topic job burnout
career identity
work-family support
scientific perspective
propensity score matching
primary healthcare
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1581624/full
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