An inverted U-shaped relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout among village clinic doctors: the moderating effect of information and communication technology use

Village clinic doctors are an integral part of the rural healthcare workforce. With the advancement of science and technology and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of remote work and the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) have increased significantly. However, these developments have also had an impact on the work family balance and mental well-being of village clinic doctors. The study aimed to explore how work-family conflict affected job burnout and what the role of ICT use was in this relationship.

This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey conducted in December 2021 in Shandong Province, China. A total of 1,093 village clinic doctors participated in the survey. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

The results showed that an inverted U-shaped relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout among village clinic doctors. Specifically, the squared term of work-family conflict had a negative coefficient (-0.324). The slope was positive (S_L=2.291) at the low end of the X-range and negative (S_H=-0.379) at the high end. The turning point occurred at X = 1.227(-2.309 ≤ X ≤ 1.812). Additionally, ICT use positively moderated between work-family conflict and job burnout (β₁β₄-β₂β₃ = 0.217, β₄ > 0).

The work-family conflict has an inverted U-shaped effect on job burnout, while the use of ICT positively moderates this relationship between work-family conflict and job burnout. Policymakers should pay attention to the effects of ICT use and work-family conflict on job burnout among village clinic doctors.