The mediating effect of burnout on the relationship between structural empowerment and organizational citizenship behaviours STEPHANIE GILBERT MSc 1 , HEATHER K. S. LASCHINGER RN, PhD, FAAN 2 and MICHAEL LEITER PhD 3 1 Faculty of Science, Saint MaryÕs University, NS, 2 Distinguished University Professor and Associate Director Nursing Research, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, ON and 3 Professor, Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health and Well-Being, Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada Correspondence Stephanie Gilbert 21-7 Loyola Residence Saint MaryÕs University Halifax, NS B3H 3C3 Canada E-mail: Stephanie.gilbert@smu.ca GILBERT S. , LASCHINGER H.K.S. & LEITER M (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18, 339–348 The mediating effect of burnout on the relationship between structural empowerment and organizational citizenship behaviours Aim We used KanterÕs (1977) structural empowerment theory to examine the influence of structural empowerment and emotional exhaustion on healthcare professionalsÕ use of organizational citizenship behaviours directed at the organi- zation (OCBO) and peers (OCBI). Background Organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB) are discretionary behaviours that are not rewarded directly by the organization but have been linked to positive outcomes, such as increased job satisfaction and lower turnover inten- tions. Promoting OCB can help employees and organizations flourish despite cur- rent challenges in the healthcare system. Structural empowerment may influence the frequency and type of OCB by reducing burnout. Method We conducted multiple mediated regression analyses to test two hypothe- sized models about relationships between empowerment, emotional exhaustion and two types of OCB (OCBI and OCBO) in a sample of 897 healthcare professionals in five Canadian hospitals. Results Emotional exhaustion was found to be a significant mediator of the rela- tionship between empowerment and OCBO. The predicted mediation of the empowerment/OCBI relationship by emotional exhaustion was not supported. Conclusions Exhaustion was an important mediator of empowering working con- ditions and OCBO, but was not significantly related to OCBI. Empowerment was significantly related to both OCBO and OCBI. Implications for nursing management Promoting empowerment among healthcare workers may decrease burnout and promote OCB. Specific managerial strategies are discussed in the present study. Keywords: burnout, healthcare professionals, organizational citizenship behaviours, structural empowerment Accepted for publication: 19 January 2010 Journal of Nursing Management, 2010, 18, 339–348 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2010.01074.x ª 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation ª 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 339