The mediating role of coworker support in the effect of burnout on compulsory citizenship: A research in healthcare professionals

This thesis investigates the effect of burnout on compulsory citizenship behaviors among healthcare workers, with a particular focus on the mediating role of coworker support. The healthcare sector is characterized by a challenging work environment involving high workload, emotional pressures, and institutional demands. These conditions contribute significantly to employee burnout and may cause certain organizational citizenship behaviors to shift from voluntary to perceived obligation. In this context, the primary aim of the study is to explore how coworker support influences the relationship between burnout and compulsory citizenship behavior. The research population consists of healthcare professionals working at Yozgat Bozok University Research and Practice Hospital. Data were collected using a personal information form along with three validated instruments: the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Compulsory Citizenship Behavior Scale, and the Coworker Support Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 software. The results indicate that higher levels of burnout significantly increase compulsory citizenship behaviors among healthcare workers. Conversely, coworker support has a significant negative relationship with compulsory citizenship behaviors. Furthermore, coworker support was found to have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between burnout and compulsory citizenship behavior. Demographic variables such as age, educational background, and years of professional experience were also found to significantly influence levels of burnout. Based on the findings, it is recommended that healthcare institutions strengthen social support mechanisms particularly coworker support in order to reduce burnout and mitigate the pressure leading to compulsory citizenship behaviors among staff. The study also revealed that social support has a positive effect on burnout. Healthcare workers are better able to cope with burnout thanks to the support they receive from their coworkers; this support reduces the impact of challenging working conditions. While compulsory citizenship behaviors may increase burnout by creating pressure on employees, social support stands out as a counterbalancing factor.