Interpersonal goals and social support network: examining the relation between perceived network density and burnout among nurses

Background: Burnout remains a critical concern among nurses, yet relatively little is known about the motivational and relational mechanisms that may buffer against it. This study examined whether interpersonal goals influence how nurses perceive the density of their support networks and whether these perceptions are associated with burnout. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 220 registered nurses recruited through social media platforms. Burnout was assessed with the Professional Quality of Life scale, interpersonal goals were measured with established scales of compassionate and self-image goals, and perceived network density was measured with an ego-centered cognitive social structure generator. Regression-based mediation analyses using Hayes’ PROCESS macro were conducted to test hypotheses. Results: Nurses with higher compassionate goals perceived denser support networks, which were in turn correlated with lower burnout. Conversely, self-image goals correlated with sparser networks and higher burnout. Mediation analyses confirmed that network density accounted for the indirect association between interpersonal goals on burnout. Conclusions: Interpersonal goals were associated with how nurses cognitively represented their support networks, which was in turn associated with burnout. Future research should investigate whether fostering compassionate goals or strengthening perceptions of network interconnectedness is related to well-being.