Upward social comparison sensitivity on teachers’ emotional exhaustion: A moderated moderation model of self-esteem and gender

Abstract

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to extend the work on individual differences in the relationship between upward social comparison sensitivity and emotional exhaustion in a sample of teachers by examining the interaction effects of self-esteem and gender differences. A total of 681 teachers completed a self-reported questionnaire including the Upward Social Comparison Sensitivity Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey (MBI-ES) subscale. The results based on a moderated moderation model indicated that: (1) Upward social comparison sensitivity was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion; (2) self-esteem moderated the relationship between upward social comparative sensitivity and emotional exhaustion; and (3) there was a significant gender difference in self-esteem that moderated the relationship between upward social comparison sensitivity and emotional exhaustion. These findings contribute to the understanding of how upward social comparison sensitivity predicts teachers’ emotional exhaustion and provide practical insights for prevention and intervention programs to protect teachers’ mental health in school settings.