Emotional exhaustion, psychological capital, and psychological well-being among rescue workers: a mediation analysis
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Abstract
Objectives: To examine the impact of emotional exhaustion on psychological well-being and to investigate the mediating role of psychological capital among rescue service providers.
Methods: This correlational study was conducted from May to August 2023 among rescue workers in South Punjab, Pakistan. Using purposive convenience sampling, 206 active-duty rescue personnel aged 20–40 years were included. Emotional exhaustion was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Emotional Exhaustion subscale, psychological capital with the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12), and psychological well-being with the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation analysis was performed, followed by mediation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4) with 5,000 bootstrap samples.
Results: Out of 206 participants, 195 (95%) were males and 11 (5%) were females. Mean age of participants was 27.26±4.77 years. Emotional exhaustion showed a significant negative association with psychological well-being (r = −0.60, p <0.001) and psychological capital (r = −0.38, p <0.001).
Psychological capital was positively correlated with psychological well-being (r = 0.43, p <0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that emotional exhaustion had a significant direct negative effect on psychological well-being (β = −0.51, p < 0.001). Additionally, emotional exhaustion exerted a significant indirect effect on psychological well-being through psychological capital (β = −0.09, SE = 0.04, p < 0.001), indicating partial mediation
Conclusion: Emotional exhaustion adversely affects psychological well-being among rescue workers, while psychological capital serves as a protective mediator. Interventions aimed at strengthening psychological capital may help mitigate burnout-related psychological distress in emergency service personnel.
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