Frontiers in Psychology (Feb 2024)

Work stress, work-family conflict, and psychological distress among resort employees: a JD-R model and spillover theory perspectives

  • Ahmed Hassan Abdou,
  • Ahmed Hassan Abdou,
  • Maha Abdul-Moniem Mohammed El-Amin,
  • Elham Farouq Ali Mohammed,
  • Hanem Mostafa Mohamed Alboray,
  • Hanem Mostafa Mohamed Alboray,
  • Aza Mohamed Sediek Refai,
  • Aza Mohamed Sediek Refai,
  • Muhanna Yousef Almakhayitah,
  • Abdullah Saleh Mohammed Albohnayh,
  • Abdulaziz Mohammed Alismail,
  • Mazen Omar Almulla,
  • Jawharah Saleh Alsaqer,
  • Maha Hassanein Mahmoud,
  • Maha Hassanein Mahmoud,
  • Adel Ibrahim Abdullah Elshazly,
  • Sahar Farouk Abdelgaed Allam,
  • Sahar Farouk Abdelgaed Allam

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1326181
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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The hospitality industry is well-known for its challenging and high-pressure work settings. In this context, employees commonly face a multitude of stressors originating from their roles and job responsibilities, which can significantly impact their psychological wellbeing. Hence, based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and the spillover theory, this study aims to empirically explore the direct and indirect effect of work stress (assessed by role overload, ambiguity, and conflict) on psychological distress among frontline employees in 3- and 4-star Egyptian resorts while considering the mediating influence of work-family conflict (WFC). Four hypotheses were put to the test through the application of the PLS-SEM 4.0 version (4.0.9.9). Based on the findings from 563 frontline employees who participated in this research, the study supports the four hypotheses affirming that work-related stressors significantly contributed to employees' psychological distress. Further, the findings highlighted that these stressors significantly spill over into employees' family lives, generating conflicts between work and family roles. In addition, the results emphasized the significance of WFC as a contributing factor to employees' psychological distress. Finally, the study concluded that WFC partially mediates the link between work stress and employees' psychological distress. Based on these findings, some theoretical and practical implications for hospitality scholars, resort management, and policymakers were suggested to enhance the employees' wellbeing and mitigate psychological distress in this vital sector.

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