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Abstract Background This study investigated the mediating and moderating impact of core self-evaluations in the path from emotional labor to burnout. Our hypothesized associations are based on Hobfoll (Rev Gen Psychol 6:307–24, 2002) conservation of resources theory. Method Three hundred nurses from four hospitals in Abadan, Iran, were invited to participate in our study. Of the 300, 255 completed all sections and questions in our survey for an 85% response rate. The posited direct and indirect effects were evaluated with structural equation modeling and the interaction effects were evaluated with hierarchical moderated regression and simple regression slope plots. Result Deep acting has indirect effects on burnout through core self-evaluations. Though unrelated to surface acting, core self-evaluations moderate its impact: under low core self-evaluations, surface acting is strongly related to emotional exhaustion and inversely related to personal accomplishment, whereas, under high core self-evaluations, surface acting is unrelated to these burnout dimensions. Conclusion Our findings reveal the dual functions of CSE as a psychological resource and buffer to offset the interpersonal demands of patient care. Limitations, directions for future research, and practical implications are discussed.

The method is descriptive-correlation of structural equations in terms of practical purpose and in terms of data collection method. The statistical population includes all education staff in Hamadan. The sample size was randomly selected based on the relative class method (between the two classes of education one and two) and based on Kerjcie and Morgan table 210. Research tools include researcher-made questionnaires of Kant's ethical conscientious view, organizational violations and standard questionnaires of ethical strategies of Nemati et al. (2020) and Hackman and Oldham (1980) job motivation. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by three management experts. The reliability of the tools through Cronbach's alpha test for Kant's ethical conscientious view was 0.89, ethical strategies 0.84, job motivation 0.90 and administrative violations 0.82, respectively. Two levels of descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient test of structural equation type) were used to analyze the research data. The results showed that Kant's conscientious view has a direct effect on job motivation and reduction of organizational violations. Ethical strategy also has a direct effect on job motivation and reduction of organizational violations. Job motivation has an effect on the reduction of organizational violations. Thus, Kant's ethical conscientious view and ethical strategies are effective in reducing organizational violations by mediating the role of job motivation.