Publication Type

PhD Dissertation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

3-2026

Abstract

Long work hours, emotional strain, and stress are just a few of the high demands placed on healthcare workers in China, which have led to occupational burnout, tension between job and family, and worse health. This research investigates the relationship between job demands and burnout via the lens of the Job Demands-Resources model and social identity theory, work-family balance, subjective well-being, and career commitment among Chinese healthcare workers. We focus on the moderating roles of gender and professional identity integration (G-PII) and communal orientation. In a two-wave investigation, 317 medical professionals from different Chinese hospitals took part. Hierarchical regression studies show that job demands are positively correlated with burnout and work-family conflict but negatively correlated with subjective well-being. Interestingly, there is a favorable correlation between job demands and professional devotion. G-PII significantly mitigated the impact of workplace expectations on burnout, balance between job and family, as well as overall health; this moderating effect was more pronounced when job demands were low than when they were high. Unlike G-PII, communal orientation is negatively connected with burnout and positively correlated with subjective well-being and work-family balance, suggesting that it only functions as a personal resource rather than a situational buffer.

These results enhance our theoretical understanding of identity integration and emphasize the importance of healthcare organisations not only to help shape the identity of their workers in a positive manner, but also to put in place measures aimed at decreasing work pressure, safeguard staff well-being, and thereby support a sustainable workforce and care quality.

Keywords

job demands, gender-professional identity integration (G-PII), community orientation, burnout, work-family balance, healthcare workers

Degree Awarded

SMU-SJTU Doctor of Business Administration

Discipline

Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Supervisor(s)

CHENG, Chi-Ying

First Page

1

Last Page

139

Publisher

Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Copyright Owner and License

Author

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