Work Hours, Job Resources and Subjective Well-Being of Chinese Faculty: An Empirical Analysis Based on a Sequential Mediation Model

Several studies have demonstrated the relevance of job demands-resources theory in examining the subjective well-being of Chinese university teachers. Nevertheless, the specific impact and mechanisms of various dimensions of job demands and resources on faculty members’ subjective well-being are not well understood. This study seeks to identify the primary predictors of subjective well-being and to explore the connection between specific job demands-resources and subjective well-being through an examination of the sequential mediation of work stress and work-life balance. Questionnaires were completed by a total of 2302 faculty members from 302 universities in China. Correlation analysis and path analysis were employed to examine the relationships between job demands-resources and subjective well-being, as well as their influencing mechanisms. Job demands measured by work hours have a significant negative impact on the subjective well-being of university faculty, with teaching hours emerging as the primary negative predictor. Conversely, job resources have a significantly positive effect on faculty’s subjective well-being, particularly decision participation, job security and extensive training, which serve as positive predictors. The relationship between job demands and faculty’s subjective well-being is mediated by their work stress, and is further serially mediated by their work stress and work-life balance. Similar patterns are observed in the influence mechanism of job resources on subjective well-being.