The mediating role of perceived overqualification in the relationship between emotional labor and mindfulness among nurses in China

BackgroundPerceived overqualification has attracted considerable attention from labor economists and managers, who perceive it as a risk factor affecting workforce stability. Mindfulness is closely associated with emotional labor, however, the potentiatl mechanisms underlying the relationship between mindfulness and emotional labor remain ambiguous. This study seeks to investigate the mediating role of perceived overqualification in the relationship between emotional labor and mindfulness among clinical nurses.MethodsA total of 354 clinical nurses were assessed using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Perceived Overqualification Scale, and the Emotional Labor Scale. The SPSS version 27.0 statistical analysis software was employed for the basic organization and analysis of the survey data. A structural equation model was used to assess the mediating role of perceived overqualification between mindfulness and the emotional labor of clinical nurses.ResultsThe study indicated that the level of mindfulness and emotional labor among clinical nurses was moderate to high, whereas perceived overqualification was moderate. A significant negative correlation was observed between perceived overqualification and mindfulness (r = −0.270, P < 0.001). In contrast, mindfulness was significantly positive correlated with deep acting (r = 0.110, P < 0.05) and significantly negatively correlated with surface acting and emotional expression requirements (r = −0.294, r = −0.278, P < 0.001). Furthermore, perceived overqualification acted as a mediator between mindfulness and surface acting as well as between mindfulness and emotional expression requirements, with mediating effect sizes of 20% and 12.5%, respectively.Conclusion and recommendationBy promoting mindfulness among clinical nurses while reducing their perceived overqualification may enhance their emotional labor capabilities, thereby fostering positive outcomes for their physical and mental health, and contributing to the advancement of high-quality nursing services.