Chinese University Faculty’s Occupational Well-Being: Applying and Extending the Job Demands–Resources Model

Abstract

This study aimed to explore predictors of Chinese university faculty’s occupational well-being in the reshaped work environment. To achieve this aim, the job demands-resources model was utilized to test the relationships of job demands (work–family conflict) and job resources (leader support) to occupational well-being among 375 university faculty (145 males and 230 females) at a comprehensive research university in China. We further intended to extend the theory by incorporating personal demands (the perfectionism personality) within the research model. Results indicated work–family conflict was indirectly related to job satisfaction via the mediator of emotional exhaustion. Leader support was indirectly related to job satisfaction via the mediators of emotional exhaustion and work engagement. The two perfectionism dimensions (concerns and strivings) functioned differently in the model. The concerns dimension positively predicted exhaustion but was nonsignificant for engagement. By contrast, the strivings dimension positively predicted engagement but was nonsignificant for exhaustion.