Psychosocial job strain and productivity in human service workers: A test of the demand-control-support model

Abstract

<jats:p>The aim of the study was to test the main and interactive effects of the key dimensions of the demand‐control‐support model in predicting levels of strain (specifically emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and job dissatisfaction) and feelings of productivity and competency (personal accomplishment) in a multi‐occupational sample of human service workers (<jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 813). Controlling for demographics, negative affectivity (NA), and quadratic terms, structural equation analyses showed some support for the additive iso‐strain hypothesis: jobs combining high demands, low control and low support produced the lowest levels of satisfaction in workers. High demands and low supports only were associated with high depersonalization, and high emotional exhaustion. Support was also found for the additive active learning hypotheses: jobs combining high demands and high control produced the highest levels of personal accomplishment. The study supports job redesign interventions for improving worker well‐being and productivity.</jats:p>