Validation of the Job Demands-Resources model in cross-national samples : cross-sectional and longitudinal predictions of psychological strain and work engagement

Authors

Paula BROUGH, Griffith University, AustraliaFollow
Carolyn TIMMS, James Cook University, AustraliaFollow
Oi Ling SIU, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Thomas KALLIATH, Australian National University, AustraliaFollow
Michael P. O'DRISCOLL, University of Waikato, New ZealandFollow
H. P., Cindy SIT, Chinese University of Hong KongFollow
Danny LO, Hong Kong Shue Yan UniversityFollow
Changqin LU, Peking University, ChinaFollow

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Human Relations

Publication Date

10-1-2013

Volume

66

Issue

10

First Page

1311

Last Page

1335

Keywords

colleague support, Job Demands-Resources, psychological strain, supervisor support, work engagement

Abstract

The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model proposes that employee health and performance are dependent upon direct and interacting perceptions of job demands and job resources. The JD-R model has been tested primarily with small, cross-sectional, European samples. The current research extends scholarly discussions by evaluating the full JD-R model for the prediction of psychological strain and work engagement, within a longitudinal research design with samples of Australian and Chinese employees (N = 9404). Job resources (supervisor support and colleague support) accounted for substantial variance, supporting the motivational hypothesis of the JD-R model. However, minimal evidence was found for the strain hypothesis of the JD-R model. The interactions of job demands and job resources were not evident, with only one from 16 interaction tests demonstrating significance. We discuss explanations for our findings. The implications of testing western-derived organizational behavior theories among employees employed in Asian regions, especially in regard to the increasing westernization' of many Asian organizations and their employees, are also discussed.

DOI

10.1177/0018726712472915

Print ISSN

00187267

E-ISSN

1741282X

Publisher Statement

Copyright © The Author(s) 2013

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Brough, P., Timms, C., Siu, O.-l., Kalliath, T., O'Driscoll, M. P., Sit, C. H. P., ... Lu, C.-q. (2013). Validation of the Job Demands Resources model in cross-national samples: Cross-sectional and longitudinal predictions of psychological strain and work engagement. Human Relations, 66(10), 1311-1335. doi: 10.1177/0018726712472915