Aim: Investigate the impact of psychological job demands and resources on chronic fatigue.
Background: Nurse fatigue is a serious problem with negative consequences on patient safety and nurse well-being. Excessive job demands can exacerbate nurse fatigue, which may limit the ability of nurses to engage in professional practice.
Methods: This two-wave study was carried out with a self-report questionnaire administered to nurses in eastern Canada (n = 154). Cross-lagged analysis using structural equation modelling was conducted to examine the interactions between psychological job demands, resources and chronic fatigue over time.
Results: Results showed that psychological job demands predicted chronic fatigue a year later. Nonetheless, job resources (decision latitude, social support) did not buffer the relationship between psychological job demands and chronic fatigue 1 year later.
Conclusions: Psychological demands have a long-term effect on chronic fatigue, thus interventions to mitigate fatigue are needed.
Implications for nursing management: Nurse managers should be aware of the cumulative effects of chronic fatigue and implement strategies to create a better balance between job demands and resources in the workplace.
Keywords: chronic fatigue; job demands-resources model; psychological demands; work environment.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.