Graduate employability Outcomes (GEO) is a crucial issue in emerging countries, where skill gaps and unemployment among university graduates are consistently rising. In this context, higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in developing a strategic approach to fill the gap through collaboration between academia and industry. Nowadays, every higher education institution in emerging countries has an internal quality assurance cell (IQAC), and they play a critical role in ensuring continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, and curriculum development. However, despite the growing relevance of this issue, limited empirical studies have been conducted on the mediating role of IQAC in the relationship between industry and academia for confirming graduate employability in an emerging economy, like Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of IQAC, including university curriculum (UC), job scholars’ opportunities (JSO), on the association between university-industry collaboration (UIC), and university GEO in Bangladesh, using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) under the quantitative research approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from university graduates, faculty members, and administrative staff. The empirical evidence reveals that UIC significantly contributes to GEO; moreover, IQAC plays a substantial mediating role, including UC and JSO. The findings of the study offer practical contributions for higher educational institutions (HEIs), policymakers, and industry experts to continuously improve graduate employability outcomes, such as practical competencies, skills development, and job readiness.
Social capital represents a relational resource developed through trust, professional networks, collaboration, peer support, and knowledge exchange. In the context of Social Studies Education, social capital can support teachers in accessing information, experiences, and professional resources relevant to professional development and instructional planning. This study aims to analyze the conceptualization of teachers’ social capital, identify its dimensions in relation to teacher professionalism, and examine its relevance to Social Studies teaching practices and instructional planning. The study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. The literature analyzed consists of scholarly publications published between 2023 and 2026 in Indonesian and English that met the established inclusion criteria. The data were analyzed through thematic synthesis based on conceptual dimensions, forms of professional relationships, and their contributions to teaching practices. The synthesis indicates that social capital facilitates teachers’ access to information, experiences, feedback, and professional support through networks and collaborative relationships. These resources can strengthen professional learning and pedagogical decision-making relevant to Social Studies instructional planning. However, empirical evidence directly linking teachers’ social capital to the quality of Social Studies instructional planning remains limited. These findings highlight the need for further research on how social capital can be translated into improvements in the quality of Social Studies instructional planning components.
Background: Prolonged screen exposure, after-hours connectivity, and sedentary work are linked to poor sleep and occupational burnout among Indian working professionals. Ayurvedic Dinacharya regulates waking, Vyayama, Bhojana Vidhi, and Nidra Vidhi; however, digital-era disruption of these domains among working adults remains unstudied. This study aimed to assess digital lifestyle behaviours mapped to Dinacharya principles as behavioural markers of Pragyaparadha, in relation to sleep quality and occupational burnout among working adults, and to identify behaviours independently associated with poor sleep and higher burnout. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical survey (STROBE-reported) was conducted at the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, during (January 2026 to July 2026), among 400 working adults aged 25-40 years with ≥1 year of occupational experience. A structured proforma captured sociodemographic details and Dinacharya-mapped digital behaviours across five domains (morning routine, bedtime device use, after-hours connectivity, screen breaks/sedentary time, mealtime practices). Sleep quality and burnout were assessed using the PSQI and Copenhagen burnout inventory. Results: Of 400 participants, 56.8% had poor sleep quality, 61% personal burnout, and 55.8% work-related burnout. Bedtime device use and inadequate screen breaks/sedentary behaviour independently predicted poor sleep (aOR 1.76 and 1.98). After-hours connectivity, sedentary behaviour, and mealtime digital engagement predicted personal burnout; bedtime device use, sedentary behaviour, mealtime digital engagement, and digital overload predicted work-related burnout (all p<0.05). Conclusions: Digital lifestyle behaviours reflect patterns of Pragyaparadha in daily digital conduct. Interpreted through Dinacharya and Nidra, the findings support a culturally grounded, preventive Digital Dinacharya framework for digital-era occupational health.
The increasing use of computers, predominantly involving prolonged static sitting, may increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aims to examine workstation ergonomic risk and musculoskeletal disorders among computer users through a literature review based on the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between 2020 and 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. A total of nine studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed narratively. The results indicate that most studies reported moderate to high levels of ergonomic risk, with chair-related factors as the dominant contributors. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints was also high, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. However, the relationship between ROSA scores and musculoskeletal complaints was inconsistent across studies, suggesting the influence of multifactorial determinants. Therefore, ROSA is more appropriately used as a screening tool for ergonomic risk, while NMQ complements it by capturing subjective complaints. The combined use of both instruments is essential to support a more comprehensive ergonomic assessment and the development of effective interventions.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) provide frontline guidance and support in demanding military environments, where operational workloads can affect personnel well-being and performance. This study described junior enlisted personnel’s assessments of NCO leadership, occupational burnout, and operational performance at the 560th Air Base Group, Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, during 2026, and examined challenges encountered by First Sergeants. A descriptive survey design involved 180 junior enlisted personnel selected from 326 eligible personnel through squadron-stratified sampling, supplemented by qualitative accounts from 11 First Sergeants. Adapted questionnaires measured four leadership dimensions, three burnout dimensions, and four performance dimensions; frequency, percentage, weighted mean, standard deviation, and thematic analysis were used. Leadership ratings ranged from 3.9236 for supervision, mentorship, and welfare support to 4.0361 for task guidance. Emotional exhaustion was moderate (M = 2.7833), whereas depersonalization (M ≈ 2.42) and reduced personal accomplishment (M = 2.1375) were low. Operational performance ratings were favorable (M = 4.0056–4.1667). Interview accounts identified manpower shortages, inadequate resources, strain on personnel welfare, and interpersonal leadership concerns. The findings informed a proposed Leadership Enhancement and Sustainability Framework prioritizing staffing, mentoring, workload management, and leadership integrity. Because the thesis did not report predictive regression or correlation tests, the results support descriptive assessment and an intervention proposal rather than established statistical prediction.
Researchers have explained the emigration of Nigerian teachers, popularly termed japa, mainly through low remuneration and insecurity, while giving less attention to access to professional development and career progression. This study examined the professional development and career opportunities available to Nigerian nursery and primary school teachers in Nigeria and abroad, and how these are linked to the decision to migrate. A mixed-methods design was adopted. The study analysed the quantitative responses from 384 teachers in Nigeria and 20 teachers in the diaspora using means, standard deviations, and percentages. The study also thematically analysed semi-structured interviews with eight teachers (four in Nigeria and four in the United Kingdom and Canada). Teachers in Nigeria reported some exposure to professional development, but only 44% agreed that it was sufficient and 39% that it was affordable, although they indicated that most came from private schools and external organisations rather than from government. Teachers abroad reported greater access to professional development, often free and mandatory, and 80% agreed that they did not feel limited in their career advancement. However, only 40% agreed that they had experienced better career growth, and the interviews showed that visa conditions and the absence of Qualified Teacher Status confined some teachers to support roles. Professional development and certifications also functioned as a pathway to migration: the interview revealed that two of the teachers in Nigeria were preparing to leave through courses and certification, and three of the four teachers abroad had migrated in order to study. The findings suggest that limited professional development operates as a push factor and that certifications provide the route out. It was recommended that affordable and sustainable professional development should be provided for teachers in Nigeria.
Traditional statistical models face the challenges of insufficient modeling capabilities and difficulty in interpreting complex, nonlinear, and high-dimensional data. Therefore, this paper combines fuzzy logic and deep learning methods to construct a framework model for identifying key factors for high-quality employment for college students. The model in this paper uses multi-channel encoding technology. We use the attention mechanism to fuse the features obtained from multi-channel encoding and input the self-organizing fuzzy inference structure for regression and classification analysis. The system can transform numerical prediction results into a semantic rule-driven decision-making process, which can significantly improve the model’s modeling capabilities and interpretability for uncertainty. Our experiments were conducted on 5,623 graduates. Experimental results on the data show that our model achieved an average mean square error of 0.831, a coefficient of determination of 0.892, and a classification accuracy of 0.865, which are significantly higher than traditional statistical and machine learning models. The corresponding experiments demonstrate the key role of cross-modal fusion and fuzzy reasoning modules in improving the results. Feature importance analysis shows that factors such as internship duration, GPA, and research participation have a key impact on high-quality employment, which is consistent with expert consensus.
Background: Fresh graduates face an increasingly difficult school-to-work transition, while artificial intelligence (AI) has become a routine study and job-search companion; yet how the intention to use AI translates into employability, and through which mechanisms, remains unclear. Objective: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, this study tests whether behavioral intention to use AI is associated with self-perceived graduate employability directly and indirectly through career adaptability and job search self-efficacy, and whether AI self-efficacy and AI trust moderate these paths. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 612 Indonesian fresh graduates who use AI for career preparation was analyzed with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: AI use intention positively predicted career adaptability (β = 0.305) and job search self-efficacy (β = 0.249), and both resources predicted self-perceived employability. The indirect paths through both resources were significant, and a direct effect of AI use intention on employability remained, indicating partial mediation. AI self-efficacy and AI trust showed significant main effects on their resources, while the interaction-related indirect effects were not significant. Conclusion: AI use intention is associated with self-perceived employability through career adaptability and job search self-efficacy. The cross-sectional findings do not establish causality. Educational institutions and career-service units may use these findings to inform structured AI-supported occupational exploration, skills-gap analysis, résumé refinement, and interview rehearsal, while encouraging critical verification of AI outputs.
Information technology (IT) professionals in India work under tight deadlines, long hours, job insecurity and rapid technological change, and Indian studies report substantial levels of stress, depressive symptoms and burnout in this group. How employees cope may help explain why some function well under these conditions while others do not. This narrative review synthesises research on coping strategies and psychological well-being among Indian IT professionals, drawing also on studies of other Indian occupational groups and international technology workers, with particular attention to gender. The evidence shows that approach-oriented strategies such as planning, active coping, positive reframing, acceptance and seeking support are generally associated with better well-being, whereas denial, behavioural disengagement, substance use and self-blame are associated with poorer well-being. Gender findings are inconsistent: some studies report higher stress or burnout among women, while others find no gender difference in depression, anxiety or well-being. Most studies are cross-sectional, use differing measures and were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review identifies the need for strategy-level analysis of coping, gender-balanced samples, research in under-studied IT hubs such as Gurgaon, and longitudinal designs.
Teacher performance is a key determinant of educational quality and the successful implementation of learning processes. Among the factors that may influence teacher performance are the adequacy of educational facilities and infrastructure, as well as the quality of the working environment. This study aims to examine the influence of facilities and infrastructure, together with the work environment, on teacher performance at SMA Negeri 1 Batukliang Utara, Central Lombok Regency. A quantitative approach with a descriptive research design was employed. The study involved all 33 active teachers using a total sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using multiple linear regression with IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. The findings reveal that facilities and infrastructure do not have a significant partial effect on teacher performance (β = 0.017; p = 0.933), whereas the work environment has a positive and statistically significant effect (β = 0.770; p = 0.003). Simultaneously, both independent variables significantly influence teacher performance (F = 10.840; p < 0.001), explaining 41.9% of the variance in teacher performance, while the remaining 58.1% is attributable to other factors not included in the research model. These findings indicate that a supportive and conducive work environment plays a more substantial role than educational facilities in improving teacher performance. Therefore, school management should prioritize the creation of a positive work environment while continuing to improve educational facilities to support teachers' professional responsibilities.
This study aims to analyze the effects of career planning and self-efficacy on the work readiness of participants in Competency-Based Training (CBT) at the Miftahul Ulum Community Vocational Training Center (BLK) in Tasikmalaya City. The study employed a quantitative approach with descriptive and verification methods, using a census technique involving 60 participants. Data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using multiple linear regression with the assistance of SPSS version 31 at a 5% significance level. The results indicate that career planning and self-efficacy simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on work readiness. Partially, both variables also have positive and significant effects on work readiness, with self-efficacy showing a relatively stronger effect. The model yielded an R value of 0.703 and an R² value of 0.494, indicating that 49.4% of the variation in work readiness can be explained by career planning and self-efficacy, while the remaining 50.6% is explained by other factors outside the model. The findings indicate the importance of integrating technical competency development, career planning, and self-efficacy enhancement in the implementation of vocational training programs.
International branch campuses (IBCs) deliver foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) qualifications inside host economies, yet how graduates’ reported educational experiences relate to their professional outcomes has received little attention in the Gulf. This study examined employability, work readiness and job alignment among Qatari nationals who completed a bachelor's degree at one of two United States IBCs in Qatar. A cross-sectional survey of 75 employed graduates, recruited purposively through professional networks and snowball referrals, was analysed using Fisher exact tests with exact odds ratios and effect sizes, together with parsimonious binary, ordinal and Firth penalised logistic regression with Wald intervals for coefficients and bootstrap percentile intervals for average predicted probabilities; responses to one open-ended question were categorised descriptively. Most graduates worked in roles related to their major (86.7%) and entered employment immediately after graduation (61.3%). Labour-market preparedness was associated with very high perceived employability (odds ratio 4.9, 95% CI 1.6–14.7) and with a very smooth transition to work (Firth odds ratio 13.9, 95% CI 3.5–54.8), and professional ability development was also associated with very high employability (odds ratio 6.5, 95% CI 1.9–22.4). Job alignment corresponded with smoother transitions, though imprecisely (odds ratio 8.6, 95% CI 1.0–73.0). Women were less likely than men to report being very well prepared (adjusted odds ratio 0.11, 95% CI 0.03–0.45); other gender comparisons were inconclusive. Graduates most often requested internships and practical exposure and locally grounded labour-market knowledge. The findings suggest that monitoring preparedness and occupational alignment alongside employment rates offers a more informative account of the professional experiences reported by graduates of international STEM programmes delivered locally.
Background Warship crews live and work for extended periods in confined spaces, separated from their families and exposed to high operational demands. While psychosocial risks in naval and maritime work are increasingly documented, little is known about how sailors collectively organize, regulate, and adapt their daily activity aboard combat vessels. To our knowledge, no psychological study has documented collective activity in situ aboard a French warship. Objective Document sailors’ professional practices, collective dynamics, and psychosocial aspects in situ during an eight-day embarkation aboard a French multi-mission frigate. Method This is a descriptive and qualitative study, of the experience report type, carried out in March 2026 during an eight-day embarkation aboard a French Navy European Multi-Mission Frigate taking part in a high-intensity exercise in the Atlantic. Data were collected through unstructured participant observation, from an observer-as-participant position. Inductive analysis drew on grounded theory and work psychology literature. Results Three mechanisms emerged. First, rank-based messes provided spaces for peer interaction, informal regulation, and the expression of tensions. Second, sailors used situational leeway to adapt their activity to operational constraints and develop practical solutions. Third, interactions between experienced and less experienced sailors supported the transmission of knowledge, practices, and norms, contributing to collective memory and professional continuity. Conclusion These findings illustrate how professional practices, collective dynamics, and psychosocial aspects are intertwined in sailors’ daily activity aboard a French warship. Informal collective spaces, opportunities to adapt work activity, and the transmission of the professional genre between experienced sailors and newcomers support professional activity.
The aim of this systematic review is to comprehensively evaluate recent research examining the relationships between teachers’ psychological resilience, burnout, and related variables from a holistic perspective. In this context, empirical and review studies published between 2020 and 2025 and conducted with teacher samples were analyzed using a systematic review methodology. The literature search was carried out in the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), and Scopus databases, and studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. As a result of this process, 23 empirical studies and 4 review studies were included in the systematic review.The findings indicate that teachers’ psychological resilience is negatively associated with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of burnout, while it is positively related to favorable outcomes such as professional efficacy, well-being, and work engagement. Teachers with higher levels of psychological resilience appear to be more resistant to occupational demands and experience lower levels of burnout symptoms. While some of the reviewed studies identified psychological resilience as a direct predictor of burnout, others revealed indirect effects through variables such as job stress, teacher self-efficacy, motivation, and organizational conditions. The findings of the review studies further support these results and emphasize the importance of conceptualizing teachers’ psychological resilience within a framework of individual and organizational resources.In conclusion, this systematic review demonstrates that teachers’ psychological resilience functions as a significant protective factor against burnout. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at strengthening teachers’ psychological resilience at both individual and organizational levels may play a critical role in promoting sustainable teacher well-being.
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the workload of medical personnel providing patient care, particularly inpatient nurses. Field interviews with nurses at hospitals in Bandung City indicated increased fatigue and sleepiness during the new normal adaptation period. This study aimed to measure mental workload and sleepiness among inpatient nurses in Bandung City. Methodology: A total of 275 inpatient nurses participated by completing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire to assess mental workload and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) to measure sleepiness. Results: Mental workload among inpatient nurses ranged from high to very high, with scores between 76.93 ± 13.18 and 81.36 ± 13.53. Hospital characteristics, gender, age, and marital status were identified as factors associated with excessive mental workload. KSS scores indicated that nurses were in the very alert to alert range after completing their duties. Furthermore, 60.73% of nurses experienced very high mental workload, while 68.73% were classified as very alert. Conclusion: The findings indicate the need for hospital management to improve working conditions through better shift scheduling, resource allocation, and equitable distribution of staff support facilities to address the needs of inpatient nurses. Originality: This study examines mental workload and sleepiness simultaneously among inpatient nurses in Bandung City and identifies factors associated with excessive mental workload, providing a basis for improving hospital workforce management during the new normal adaptation period.
In South Africa, the persistent issue of graduates being ill-prepared for the job market highlights the deep-seated inequalities within the country's higher education system. Often, employability is attributed to student motivation or individual “skills gaps,” but these explanations overlook the structural mismatches that affect the transition from university to employment. This paper explores how curriculum design, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), and the digital divide interact to contribute to career unpreparedness among students at a Historically Disadvantaged Institution (HDI) that serves many rural and low-income communities. This study addresses that gap by foregrounding the perspectives of institutional actors, lecturers, WIL coordinators, and academic advisors at a single HDI. Through an interpretivist qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with lecturers, WIL coordinators, and academic advisors, the paper examines how these institutional figures perceive the relationship among academic programmes, labour market demands, and students' real-life circumstances. The findings reveal that curriculum updates often lag behind the fast-evolving job sectors, particularly in Information and Communication Technology (ICT); that WIL systems are fragile due to limited placement opportunities, inconsistent employer engagement, and brief placement periods; and that students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds face compounded challenges, including transport costs, weak professional networks, barriers to digital access, and limited knowledge of recruitment platforms. Additionally, the study highlights that the digital divide extends beyond mere connectivity issues to encompass disparities in access to devices and data, digital confidence, and digitally facilitated career opportunities. Amidst the discourse on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), globalisation, sustainability, and equity in African higher education, this paper calls for a transformation of the curriculum to be more collaborative, data-informed, and attuned to social needs. It proposes strengthening partnerships with advisory boards, co-creating curricula with industry, employing AI tools to align curricula, and coordinating policies among universities, employers, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and technology developers. The paper concludes that improving graduate employability in South Africa requires more than technical reforms alone; it necessitates addressing the structural inequalities that shape who can transition from higher education to meaningful employment. The paper contributes a structural-misalignment framework, a clear distinction among empirically grounded, analytically derived, and forward-looking implications, and a methodologically transparent account of qualitative analysis in a sensitive institutional setting.
School heads’ leadership practices, such as how they set direction, support instruction, and build trust, are consistently linked to teachers’ work satisfaction, which in turn shapes motivation, commitment, and retention. The main objective of this study was to determine the School Heads’ Instructional Leadership Practices and Teachers’ Work Satisfaction in selected districts of the Division of Bukidnon during the School Year 2026–2027. Specifically, this aimed to find out the level of respondents’ perception of school heads’ instructional leadership practices; ascertain the level of work satisfaction in terms of the motivator factor; and determine whether a relationship exists between school heads’ instructional leadership practices and teachers’ work satisfaction in terms of the hygiene factor and as well as motivator factor. The study used a descriptive-correlational design and included two hundred five (205) Key Stage 2 teachers selected through universal sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using weighted mean, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Findings showed that instructional leadership was highly practiced, especially in aligning the school vision. Teachers also reported high job satisfaction in both hygiene and motivator factors. Instructional leadership was positively related to teachers’ work satisfaction. It also significantly predicted work satisfaction, with school vision alignment being the strongest predictor. It is concluded that instructional leadership is most effective when school heads ensure that the school’s mission and academic goals are perfectly aligned with the school-wide program and the current DepEd curriculum standards. School heads should improve teamwork, teaching, resource use, staff training, recognition, and the school environment.
This study assessed the employability skill readiness of Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates in Liloan District, Cebu, during School Year 2025–2026 as a basis for developing a skill enhancement plan. Anchored on Human Capital Theory, Career Construction Theory, and Social Cognitive Career Theory, the study employed a quantitative correlational research design involving 70 ALS graduates. Data were collected using an adapted and modified questionnaire and analyzed through percentages, weighted means, standard deviations, Pearson product-moment correlation, and chi-square tests. Findings revealed high employability skill readiness in communication (M = 4.08), teamwork (M = 3.82), problem-solving (M = 3.81), self-management (M = 3.48), and technical or job-specific skills (M = 3.52). Employability readiness was significantly associated with age, parents’ educational attainment, parents’ occupation, and combined monthly family income, while gender showed no significant relationship. Furthermore, challenges encountered exhibited a significant negative relationship with employability readiness (r = −0.46), indicating that greater challenges were associated with lower readiness. Prominent challenges included limited access to training and upskilling opportunities, insufficient career preparation, inadequate hands-on experience, and limited confidence in applying acquired skills. The study recommends implementing the proposed Skill Enhancement Plan through accessible training, career guidance, workplace exposure, and strengthened stakeholder partnerships. The research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting inclusive skills development and employment readiness. Its potential contribution to educational, socioeconomic, and community sustainability lies in supporting lifelong learning, equitable employment preparation, and improved workforce participation among ALS graduates.
Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a relevant professional competency in nursing, yet its relationship with career growth remains underexplored in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the association between total emotional intelligence and perceived career growth among nurses in the Jazan Health Cluster. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with 295 registered nurses in the Jazan Health Cluster recruited via convenience sampling. EI was measured using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and career growth was measured using the Career Growth Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression served as the primary analytical strategies. The sample was predominantly female (78.0%), Saudi (67.1%), and BSN-qualified (74.9%), with a mean age of 36.28 years (SD = 7.94). Mean total EI was 127.98 (SD = 9.96), and mean total career growth was 53.73 (SD = 6.66). EI was positively correlated with career growth ( r = .351, 95% CI [0.246, 0.447], p < .001). Exploratory analysis showed that total EI was most strongly correlated with Career Capacity ( r = .438). Social Skills and Emotion Utilization showed broad positive patterns across the non-salary career-growth domains, whereas total EI was not associated with Salary Increase ( r = − .008, 95% CI [-0.122, 0.106]). The association between the total scores remained after covariate adjustment (B = 0.213, standardized β = 0.319, HC3 p < .001; adjusted R² = 0.220). Total emotional intelligence was positively associated with perceived career growth among nurses in Saudi Arabia after covariate adjustment but was not associated with perceived salary growth. Exploratory findings suggest that emotional competencies may be more relevant to developmental and relational aspects of career growth than to financial advancement. The findings may inform broader professional-development strategies aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 healthcare workforce priorities.
Background Digital systems are integral to nursing practice, but sustained digital engagement may be accompanied by fatigue. The roles of general fear of missing out (FoMO) and perceived stress in the association between digital fatigue and nurses’ job burnout remain unclear. Guided by conservation of resources theory, this study examined the separate and serial indirect associations through FoMO and perceived stress. Method A cross-sectional survey included 554 clinical nurses recruited by convenience sampling from five tertiary Grade A hospitals in Hunan, China, between January and May 2026. Self-report measures assessed the four constructs. Structural equation modeling with bootstrap confidence intervals examined the proposed associations. Results Digital fatigue remained positively associated with job burnout when FoMO and perceived stress were included in the model. Positive indirect associations were identified through each variable separately and through FoMO followed by perceived stress (effect = 0.041, 95% CI [0.021, 0.066]). Conclusion Digital fatigue was positively associated with nurses’ job burnout, both directly and indirectly through general FoMO and perceived stress. Hospital managers could assess digital fatigue, stress, and burnout when reviewing digital workflows. Clearer expectations for responding to work messages and protected recovery time warrant prospective evaluation, including effects on staff wellbeing, workflow, and patient safety.
