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Research Article: Gender as a moderator of the relationship between workplace violence and burnout among healthcare professionals

Date Published: 2026-09-15

Abstract:
Work-related burnout (WB) is a pervasive issue among healthcare workers often exacerbated by workplace violence or aggression (WVA). Although gender differences in burnout are well-documented, the moderating role of gender in the relationship between WVA and WB remains understudied. This study aims to examine the associations between WVA, alcohol use, and WB among Taiwanese healthcare professionals by specifically investigating whether gender moderates these relationships. Secondary data were analyzed from a cross-sectional survey conducted in March 2025 among 907 frontline healthcare workers at a university-affiliated hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. WB was assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. Multiple linear regression models with interaction terms (female × WVA; female × alcohol use) were constructed, with empirical 95% confidence intervals derived from a nonparametric percentile bootstrap (5,000 replications) to confirm the robustness of the estimates. WVA was significantly associated with increased WB (B = 10.61, p < 0.001). A significant negative interaction between female gender and WVA (B = ?10.08, 95% CI: ?17.29 to ?2.90) indicated that the magnitude of burnout increase associated with WVA was significantly larger among male workers than female workers. Conversely, an exploratory crossover interaction was observed for alcohol use, where drinking was associated with higher burnout in females but showed a null or non-significant association in males. Other key predictors included psychological violence, frequent overtime, and irregular shift work. Gender significantly moderates the impact of occupational stressors on burnout. Preliminary evidence suggests that male workers may exhibit greater sensitivity to the specific stressor of WVA, whereas the association between alcohol use and burnout was observed predominantly among female workers, highlighting potential sex-specific coping patterns that warrant further longitudinal exploration. These findings underscore the necessity for gender-responsive interventions, such as emotional support for men and substance use tracking for women, to effectively reduce burnout.

Introduction:
Work-related burnout (WB) is a pervasive issue among healthcare workers often exacerbated by workplace violence or aggression (WVA). Although gender differences in burnout are well-documented, the moderating role of gender in the relationship between WVA and WB remains understudied. This study aims to examine the associations between WVA, alcohol use, and WB among Taiwanese healthcare professionals by specifically investigating whether gender moderates these relationships.

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