Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison
Background: The prevalence of burnout symptoms has become very high among public employees, with occupational stigma perception as an important predictor of burnout. Combining personal and relational factors can effectively exacerbate burnout symptoms. The study explores how work–family conflict and...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Acta Psychologica |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825000824 |
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| author | Rubinia C. Bonfanti Giulia Foti Gabriele Giorgi Stefano Ruggieri |
| author_facet | Rubinia C. Bonfanti Giulia Foti Gabriele Giorgi Stefano Ruggieri |
| author_sort | Rubinia C. Bonfanti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The prevalence of burnout symptoms has become very high among public employees, with occupational stigma perception as an important predictor of burnout. Combining personal and relational factors can effectively exacerbate burnout symptoms. The study explores how work–family conflict and social comparisons orientation (both upward and downward) influence the relationship between occupational stigma perceptions and burnout among Italian public employees, applying Conservation of Resources Theory. Methods: We measured burnout, occupational stigma perception, work–family conflict, and social comparison orientation using cross-sectional, anonymous, self-reported questionnaires filled out by 305 employees. Results: The correlation analysis revealed that burnout positively related to upward comparison, work–family conflict, and occupational stigma perception and negatively related to downward comparison. Linear regression analysis indicated that occupational stigma perception was significantly associated with increased burnout symptoms in public employees. The moderation analysis showed that work–family conflict positively moderated the positive relationship between occupational stigma perception and burnout (β = 0.061, p < .001). Moderated moderation analyses only support the role of upward social comparison as a moderator of the role of work–family conflict (β = 0.040, p < .01). Conclusion: The study theoretically enhances understanding of the links between occupational stigma, work–family conflict, social comparison orientation, and burnout, while highlighting the practically need for organizations to address psychosocial factors to reduce burnout. Organizations that recognize the influence of these factors on employee well-being can implement timely preventive and management strategies to address these challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-12bb052ace4f4adfb102f23ae5ed2e15 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0001-6918 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Psychologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-12bb052ace4f4adfb102f23ae5ed2e152025-02-06T05:10:54ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-03-01253104769Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparisonRubinia C. Bonfanti0Giulia Foti1Gabriele Giorgi2Stefano Ruggieri3Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Corresponding author at: Viale delle Scienze, Edifcio 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy.Background: The prevalence of burnout symptoms has become very high among public employees, with occupational stigma perception as an important predictor of burnout. Combining personal and relational factors can effectively exacerbate burnout symptoms. The study explores how work–family conflict and social comparisons orientation (both upward and downward) influence the relationship between occupational stigma perceptions and burnout among Italian public employees, applying Conservation of Resources Theory. Methods: We measured burnout, occupational stigma perception, work–family conflict, and social comparison orientation using cross-sectional, anonymous, self-reported questionnaires filled out by 305 employees. Results: The correlation analysis revealed that burnout positively related to upward comparison, work–family conflict, and occupational stigma perception and negatively related to downward comparison. Linear regression analysis indicated that occupational stigma perception was significantly associated with increased burnout symptoms in public employees. The moderation analysis showed that work–family conflict positively moderated the positive relationship between occupational stigma perception and burnout (β = 0.061, p < .001). Moderated moderation analyses only support the role of upward social comparison as a moderator of the role of work–family conflict (β = 0.040, p < .01). Conclusion: The study theoretically enhances understanding of the links between occupational stigma, work–family conflict, social comparison orientation, and burnout, while highlighting the practically need for organizations to address psychosocial factors to reduce burnout. Organizations that recognize the influence of these factors on employee well-being can implement timely preventive and management strategies to address these challenges.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825000824Public employeesBurnoutOccupational stigma perceptionSocial comparisonWork–family conflict |
| spellingShingle | Rubinia C. Bonfanti Giulia Foti Gabriele Giorgi Stefano Ruggieri Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison Acta Psychologica Public employees Burnout Occupational stigma perception Social comparison Work–family conflict |
| title | Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison |
| title_full | Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison |
| title_fullStr | Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison |
| title_short | Occupational stigma perception and public employees' burnout: A moderated moderation model of work–family conflict and social comparison |
| title_sort | occupational stigma perception and public employees burnout a moderated moderation model of work family conflict and social comparison |
| topic | Public employees Burnout Occupational stigma perception Social comparison Work–family conflict |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825000824 |
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