Indecent work perception and burnout among psychiatric nurses: the mediating role of emotion regulation

Background Psychiatric nursing is characterized by high levels of occupational burnout, with indecent work perceptions emerging as a significant contributing factor. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. This study examined the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between indecent work perception and burnout among psychiatric nurses. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2024 among 195 psychiatric nurses from a psychiatric hospital in Wenzhou, China. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, indecent work perception, emotion regulation, and burnout. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling with bootstrapping procedures to test mediation effects. Results The sample comprised psychiatric nurses with a mean age of 30.12 years and 8.04 years of occupational experience. All three dimensions of indecent work perception were positively associated with burnout, with working position concerns showing the strongest association (β = 0.39, p < 0.001). The overall model explained 61% of the variance in burnout scores. Mediation analysis revealed that cognitive reappraisal significantly mediated the relationship between indecent work perception and burnout [ indirect effect = 0.02, 95% CI (0.01, 0.03), p < 0.001], accounting for approximately 17% of the total effect. In contrast, expressive suppression did not demonstrate significant mediation [ indirect effect = 0.001, 95% CI (−0.002, 0.003), p = 0.87]. Conclusions Indecent work perception is an important risk factor for burnout among psychiatric nurses, and diminished use of cognitive reappraisal partly meditates this association. These findings highlight the need for organizational interventions that enhance recognition and career development opportunities, alongside individual-level strategies that strengthen adaptive emotion regulation skills. Addressing both contextual and psychological factors may be critical for reducing burnout and promoting sustainable professional development in psychiatric nursing.