ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: The unprecedented spread of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in psychiatric units has affected the self-efficacy, burnout, and job performances of psychiatric nurses. We conducted a survey to investigate the moderating effect of burnout on the relationship between the self-efficacy and job performances of psychiatric nurses. Materials and Methods: Validated and structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 186 nurses in psychiatric units for COVID-19. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and a series of multiple linear regression analyses based on Baron and Kenny's method using the SPSS 26.0 program. Results: Job performance was positively correlated with self-efficacy (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) but had no significant correlation with burnout (r = -0.11, p = 0.150). Self-efficacy was negatively correlated with burnout (r = -0.22, p = 0.002). Burnout among psychiatric nurses had significant moderating effects on self-efficacy and job performance (ß = -0.11, p = 0.024). Conclusions: These findings indicate a need to prevent burnout and to enhance self-efficacy in psychiatric nurses to increase their job performances and serve as a basis for establishing strategies to deploy medical staff in the future.