Who Saves the Saviours During a Pandemic? Career Calling Protects Healthcare Workers from Burnout and Resigning

Abstract

This study investigates whether career calling protects from the detrimental effects of fear of COVID-19 and job demand on burnout and turnover intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected in a sample of 275 Italian healthcare workers in charge of COVID-19 patients. Direct, indirect, and conditional effects were tested using a path model. The results showed a significant sequential mediation effect: Demand partially mediates the relation between fear of COVID-19 and burnout; burnout completely mediates the impact of fear of COVID-19 on turnover intention. Career calling moderates the impact of fear of COVID-19 on demand and of burnout on turnover intentions. When calling is high, the effects of fear of COVID-19 on perceived job demand, and the effect of burnout on turnover intentions are null. This study supports the notion that career calling is a personal resource that protects people from the negative consequences of highly stressful work environments.