Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nurses play a critical role in the medical workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic while facing various difficulties and challenges. Grit, social support, and self-esteem are important psychosocial factors influencing job performance. However, few studies have explored the relationships among these factors in nurses. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between grit and nurses' job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the potential chain mediation through perceived social support and self-esteem. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was employed. From January 2021 to May 2022, a total of 709 Chinese nurses in Chengdu and Kunming completed a web-based cross-sectional survey, which included standard assessments on grit, perceived social support, self-esteem, and job performance as well as Big Five personalities. The chain mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro program in the SPSS software. RESULTS: There was a moderate-to-large correlation (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) between grit and job performance in Chinese nurses. Furthermore, grit was indirectly linked to job performance through the chain mediating effect of perceived social support and self-esteem (all p < 0.05). These findings persisted even when Big Five personalities were included as additional controlling variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a stable link between grit and job performance among Chinese nurses and highlights the potential role of perceived social support and self-esteem in mediating this link. Implications for Nursing Management. Nursing managers can improve nurses' grit level and provide a supportive organizational environment conducive to enhancing self-esteem and thereby promoting their job performance.