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How does social isolation in a context of dirty work increase emotional exhaustion and inhibit work engagement? A process model

Author

Listed:
  • Kathleen Bentein

    (UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal = University of Québec in Montréal)

  • Alice Garcia
  • Sylvie Guerrero

    (UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal = University of Québec in Montréal)

  • Olivier Herrbach

    (IRGO - Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations - UB - Université de Bordeaux - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Bordeaux)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the consequences of experiencing social isolation in a context of dirty work. Relying on an integration of the job demands-resources model (Schaufeli and Bakker, 2004) with the social identity approach (Ashforth and Kreiner, 1999), the paper posits that perceived social isolation prevents the development of defense mechanisms that could counter the occupational stigma, and thus tends to increase perceptions of stigmatization, and to decrease perceptions of the prosocial impact of their work. Through these two perceptions, perceived social isolation indirectly affects emotional exhaustion and work engagement. Design/methodology: Research hypotheses are tested among a sample of 195 workers in the commercial cleaning industry who execute physically tainted tasks. Findings: Results support the research model. Perceived prosocial impact mediates the negative relationship between perceived social isolation and work engagement, and perceived stigmatization mediates the positive relationship between perceived social isolation and emotional exhaustion. Research limitations/implications: This research contributes to the dirty work literature by empirically examining one of its implicit assumptions, namely, that social isolation prevents the development of coping strategies. It also contributes to the literature on well-being and work engagement by demonstrating how they are affected by the social context of work. Originality/value: The present paper is the first to study the specific challenges of social isolation in dirty work occupations and its consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathleen Bentein & Alice Garcia & Sylvie Guerrero & Olivier Herrbach, 2017. "How does social isolation in a context of dirty work increase emotional exhaustion and inhibit work engagement? A process model," Post-Print hal-03257922, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03257922
    DOI: 10.1108/PR-09-2016-0227
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    Cited by:

    1. Ines Testoni & Vito Fabio Sblano & Lorenza Palazzo & Sara Pompele & Michael Alexander Wieser, 2020. "The Hospice as a Learning Environment: A Follow-Up Study with a Palliative Care Team," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Dirk De Clercq & Sadia Jahanzeb & Tasneem Fatima, 2022. "Abusive supervision, occupational well-being and job performance: The critical role of attention–awareness mindfulness," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 47(2), pages 273-297, May.

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