Perceived stress, occupational burnout, and anxiety among PIVAS healthcare professionals: the moderating role of research competence

Background Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services (PIVAS) are now an integral part of patient care in modern hospitals. However, personnel working in PIVAS are often exposed to intense perceived stress, making them more susceptible to occupational burnout and anxiety, which may negatively impact their physical and mental health, as well as job performance. This study aims to explore the relationships between perceived stress, occupational burnout, research competence, and anxiety. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among PIVAS nurses and pharmacists from hospitals. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, work experience, perceived stress, and related psychological parameters. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the hypothesized direct and indirect relationships among perceived stress, occupational burnout, and anxiety, and to assess the moderating role of research competence. Results A total of 609 healthcare professionals from 137 medical institutions in 20 provinces across China participated in the analysis, including 61.6% (375/609) nurses and 38.4% (234/609) pharmacists. 40.9% of participants exhibited symptoms of anxiety. SEM analysis revealed that perceived stress was significantly and positively associated with occupational burnout (z = 6.08, p < 0.05) and anxiety (z = 7.59, p < 0.05), with burnout showing direct and indirect effects within the hypothesized model. Moreover, research competence acted as a positive moderator in the relationships between perceived stress and occupational burnout, perceived stress and anxiety, as well as burnout and anxiety. Conclusion Occupational burnout, anxiety, and perceived stress are common among PIVAS nurses and pharmacists. The findings highlight that perceived stress is significantly associated with higher levels of burnout and anxiety symptoms. Notably, research competence moderated these associations. Healthcare institutions should prioritize effective stress management strategies, enhance employees’ research competence, and provide psychological support to mitigate the association between perceived stress and mental health. Future studies should explore the causal relationships between these variables and investigate targeted intervention approaches.