Emotions at Work: Implications for Psychological Wellbeing of Prison Officers in Nigeria

Abstract

Rising evidence indicates that surface acting is associated with energy expenditure which siphons resources needed to enhance well-being. We therefore examined the effects of surface acting, emotional exhaustion, and emotional intelligence on psychological well-being in a moderated mediation model. Based on a sample of 307 Nigerian prison officers, results showed that: the direct effect of surface acting on psychological well-being was significant; emotional exhaustion mediated the negative relationship between surface acting and psychological well-being; emotional intelligence moderated the relationship between surface acting and psychological well-being; emotional intelligence moderated the relationship between surface acting and emotional exhaustion; the link between emotional exhaustion and psychological well-being was moderated by emotional intelligence; and the indirect effect of surface acting on psychological well-being via emotional exhaustion was significant. This study has important theoretical and practical implications for service organisations wishing to buffer the deleterious effects of surface acting and emotional exhaustion on psychological well-being.