Psychosocial job demands, organizational resources, and mental well-being in psychologists

Factors associated with quality of work life

Bibliographic Data

ID15698505
AuthorsRoque Crespo Castizo (0000-0002-7300-5377, Universidad de Salamanca), Noelia Flores (0000-0001-9822-7235), Noelia Flores Robaina (Universidad de Salamanca), Irene Alonso Esquisábel (0009-0002-4663-8387, Hospital El Bierzo), Cristina Jenaro Río (0000-0003-2060-1658), Cristina Jenaro (Universidad de Salamanca, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Issue1
Publication date2026-03-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2050-7283 • E-ISSN: 2050-7283
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s40359-026-04352-5
PMID41845453
OpenAlexW7139050955
LanguageEN
References cited58

This study examined the extent to which psychosocial job demands and organizational resources are associated with quality of work life (QWL) and mental well-being in psychologists, using the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model as a conceptual framework to guide the selection of predictors and the interpretation of relationships between burnout, engagement, and occupational health. A cross-sectional correlational design was applied, combining hierarchical multiple regression and a path analysis within a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework. The sample comprised 624 practicing psychologists in Spain who completed validated self-report measures of burnout, job demands, autonomy, social support, work engagement, psychological symptoms, and QWL. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the incremental explained variance of sociodemographic, organizational, and psychological predictors. Findings indicated that job demands, organizational resources, engagement, and indicators of mental health accounted for 45% of the variance in QWL. Emotional exhaustion, psychological demands, dedication, and anxiety–insomnia emerged as the strongest correlates. The final path model, specified with observed variables, confirmed that psychological demands (β = − .16), emotional exhaustion (β = − .21), and anxiety–insomnia (β = − .16) were negatively associated with QWL, whereas autonomy (β = .13), perceived social support (β = .07), and dedication (β = .25) showed positive associations. The model explained 44% of the variance in QWL. Overall, the findings highlight the relevance of psychosocial demands and resources in understanding variations in psychologists’ QWL. Strategies aimed at reducing emotional strain and enhancing autonomy, social support, and work engagement may be considered in future intervention-oriented research for promoting practitioners’ well-being and sustaining professional functioning

Autonomy · Explained variation · Job satisfaction · Mental health · Multilevel model · Path analysis (statistics · Psychosocial · Social support · Structural equation modeling · Variance (accounting · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Occupational Therapy Practice and Research · Workplace Health and Well-being

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