The Role of Leadership Styles, Work-Life Balance and The Physical Environment in Promoting Psychological Well-Being: A Job Demands-Resources Perspective
Abstract
This conceptual paper explores the impact of leadership styles, work-life balance, and the physical environment on psychological well-being using the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model as the theoretical framework. In the contemporary workplace, evolving job demands, rising expectations for mental health support, and persistent stressors like job insecurity have increased the need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being. Leadership is identified as a critical mediating variable that enhances or mitigates the effectiveness of job resources, such as work-life balance and physical environment, in promoting psychological well-being. Transformational and servant leadership styles are emphasized for their role in fostering supportive work environments that buffer the negative effects of high job demands. Additionally, the paper underscores how well-designed workspaces and balanced work-life integration can significantly enhance employee well-being, contributing to higher engagement and performance. The JD-R model provides a robust lens through which the interactions between job demands, resources, and leadership can be examined. This framework offers organizations practical strategies to safeguard employee psychological well-being by fostering leadership that advocates for flexible work arrangements and supportive physical environments. Future research should empirically validate the proposed relationships to further refine the role of leadership in promoting employee well-being.
Downloads
References
Adnan, M., Bakhtawar, A., & Zahra, R. (2021). Employee well-being and work-life balance as a function of Job satisfaction: the moderating role of organizational citizenship behavior. Sustainable Business and Society in Emerging Economies, 3(3), 217-229. https://doi.org/10.26710/sbsee.v3i3.1911 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26710/sbsee.v3i3.1911
Ahmed, F., Zhao, F., Faraz, N., & Qin, Y. (2020). How Inclusive Leadership Paves the Way for Psychological Well-Being of Employees During Trauma and Crisis: a three?wave longitudinal mediation study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 819-831. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14637 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14637
Alcock, I., White, M., Wheeler, B., Fleming, L., & Depledge, M. (2014). Longitudinal effects on the mental health of moving to greener and less green urban areas. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(2), 1247-1255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es403688w
Alsheweir, N. (2023). The effects of flexible working interventions on work-nonwork conflict and psychological well-being: a review of the literature. Journal of Economics Management and Trade, 29(8), 51-65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/jemt/2023/v29i81114
Ausat, A. (2024). The role of transformational leadership in improving employee psychological wellbeing: A review. Apollo Journal of Tourism and Business, 2(1), 148-157. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58905/apollo.v2i1.239
Boyd, C., Bakker, A., Pignata, S., Winefield, A., Gillespie, N., & Stough, C. (2010). A longitudinal test of the job Demands-resources model among Australian university academics. Applied Psychology, 60(1), 112-140. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2010.00429.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2010.00429.x
Braçe, O., Garrido?Cumbrera, M., & Correa-Fernández, J. (2021). Gender differences in the perceptions of Green spaces characteristics. Social Science Quarterly, 102(6), 2640-2648. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13074
Buonomo, I., Farnese, M., Jiménez, M., & Benevene, P. (2021). Other-focused approach to teaching. The effect of ethical leadership and quiet ego on work engagement and the mediating role of compassion satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.692116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.692116
Consiglio, C., ????????, ?., Alessandri, G., & Schaufeli, W. (2013). Does self-efficacy matter for burnout and Sickness absenteeism? The mediating role of demands and resources at the individual and team levels. Work & Stress, 27(1), 22-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2013.769325 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2013.769325
Crawford, E., LePine, J., & Rich, B. (2010). Linking job demands and resources to employee engagement and Burnout: a theoretical extension and meta-analytic test. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(5), 834-848. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019364
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2001). The job demands-resources model of Burnout. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(3), 499–512. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.86.3.499
Ding, H. and Yu, E. (2021). Strengths-based leadership and employee psychological well-being: a moderated mediation model. Journal of Career Development, 49(5), 1108-1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453211018807
Engemann, K., Pedersen, C., Arge, L., Tsirogiannis, C., Mortensen, P., & Svenning, J. (2019). Residential green Space in childhood is associated with a lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(11), 5188-5193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1807504116
Faisal, A., Hameed, M., & Aleemi, A. (2022). Work-life balance and job performance: a mediating and Moderating model. Market Forces, 17(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.51153/mf.v17i1.558 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51153/mf.v17i1.558
Frazier, M., Fainshmidt, S., Klinger, R., Pezeshkan, A., & Vracheva, V. (2016). Psychological safety: meta-analytic review and extension. Personnel Psychology, 70(1), 113-165. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12183
Hanif, A., Hussain, I., & Hameed, F. (2021). Innovation and employee performance: the mediating role of Psychological well-being. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies, 7(3), 699-710. https://doi.org/10.26710/jbsee.v7i3.1896 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26710/jbsee.v7i3.1896
Hassard, J. (2024). The relationship between line manager training in mental health and organizational outcomes. Plos One, 19(7), e0306065. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306065
Hystad, S., Bartone, P., & Eid, J. (2013). Positive organizational Behavior and safety in the Offshore Oil Industry: exploring the determinants of positive safety climate. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(1), 42-53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.831467
Jabbar, M., Yusoff, M., & Shafie, A. (2021). Assessing the role of urban green spaces for human well-being: a Systematic review. Geojournal, 87(5), 4405-4423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10474-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10474-7
Keniger, L., Gaston, K., Irvine, K., & Fuller, R. (2013). What are the benefits of interacting with nature? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(3), 913-935. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10030913
Kim, B., Kim, M., & Kim, T. (2021). “the power of ethical leadership”: the influence of corporate social responsibility for creativity, the mediating function of psychological safety, and the moderating role of ethical leadership. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2968. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062968 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062968
Korunka, C., Kubicek, B., Schaufeli, W., & Hoonakker, P. (2009). Work engagement and burnout: testing the Robustness of the job demands-resources model. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(3), 243-255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760902879976
Kundi, Y., Aboramadan, M., Elhamalawi, E., & Shahid, S. (2020). Employee psychological well-being and job Performance: exploring mediating and moderating mechanisms. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 29(3), 736-754. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoa-05-2020-2204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-05-2020-2204
Larson, L., Jennings, V., & Cloutier, S. (2016). Public parks and well-being in urban areas of the United States. Plos One, 11(4), e0153211. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153211
Lee, J. (2017). Experimental study on the health benefits of garden landscape. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(7), 829. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070829
Li, T. and Tang, N. (2022). Inclusive leadership and innovative performance: a multi-level mediation model of psychological safety. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.934831 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.934831
Lindert, L., Zeike, S., Choi, K., & Pfaff, H. (2022). Transformational leadership and Employees’ psychological Wellbeing: a longitudinal study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 676. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010676 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010676
López-Martín, E. and Topa, G. (2019). Organizational culture and job demands and resources: their impact on employees’ wellbeing in a multivariate multilevel model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17), 3006. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173006
Marselle, M., Irvine, K., & Warber, S. (2013). Walking for well-being: are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for well-being than group walks in urban environments? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(11), 5603-5628. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10115603
Maximo, N., Stander, M., & Coxen, L. (2019). Authentic leadership and work engagement: the indirect effects of psychological safety and trust in supervisors. Sa Journal of Industrial Psychology, 45. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v45i0.1612 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v45i0.1612
Nwanzu, C. and Babalola, S. (2023). The effect of work-life balance and social competence on the psychological well-being of public service employees. International Journal of Management Entrepreneurship Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(2), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijmesh.v6i2.1287 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31098/ijmesh.v6i2.1287
Orgambídez-Ramos, A., Borrego-Alés, Y., & Sierra, M. (2014). Role stress and work engagement as Antecedents of job satisfaction in Spanish workers. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.992 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.992
Prasad, K. (2022). Effect of occupational stress on work-life balance and psychological well-being. International Journal of Health Sciences, 3349-3373. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6ns5.9367 DOI: https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS5.9367
Prasad, K., Vaidya, R., & Mangipudic, M. (2020). Effect of occupational stress and remote working on Psychological well-being of employees: an empirical analysis during covid-19 pandemic concerning information technology industry in Hyderabad. Indian Journal of Commerce & Management Studies, 11(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.18843/ijcms/v11i2/01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18843/ijcms/v11i2/01
Presantoro, E. (2024). Self-compassion and psychological well-being among employees in companies implementing layoffs. Manasa, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.25170/manasa.v12i2.4872 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25170/manasa.v12i2.4872
Rahi, S. (2023). Fostering employee work engagement and sustainable employment during the COVID-19 crisis through hr practices, employee psychological well-being and psychological empowerment. Industrial and Commercial Training, 55(3), 324-345. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict-04-2022-0023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-04-2022-0023
Rahim, N., Osman, I., & Arumugam, P. (2020). Linking work-life balance and employee well-being: Do supervisor support and family support moderate the relationship. International Journal of Business and Society, 21(2), 588-606. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3273.2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3273.2020
Salanova, M., Acosta-Antognoni, H., Llorens, S., & Blanc, P. (2021). We trust you! A multilevel-multireference model based on organizational trust to explain performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084241 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084241
Schaufeli, W. and Taris, T. (2013). A critical review of the job demands-resources model: implications for improving work and health., 43-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5640-3_4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5640-3_4
Selander, K., Korkiakangas, E., Toivanen, M., Yli-Kaitala, K., Kangas, H., Nevanperä, N., & Laitinen, J. (2023). Engaging leadership and psychological safety as moderators of the relationship between strain and work recovery: a cross-sectional study of his employees. Healthcare, 11(7), 1045. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11071045
Singh, T. (2016). Relating emotional intelligence and organizational commitment through moderated mediation of psychological well-being and work-life balance: a study on teachers of NGOs. Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 8(2), 28-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v8n2.04
Sobaih, A., Gharbi, H., & Elnasr, A. (2022). Do you feel safe here? The role of psychological safety in the Relationship between transformational leadership and turnover intention amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(8), 340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15080340
Stankevi?ien?, A., Tamaševi?ius, V., Diskien?, D., Grakauskas, Ž., & Rudinskaja, L. (2021). The mediating effect of work-life balance on the relationship between work culture and employee well-being. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(4), 988-1007. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.14729 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.14729
Tanjung, A., et al. (2021). The Influence of Organizational Climate Support on Psychological Well-Being and Employee Loyalty with Psychological Capital as Mediating Variables. doi:10.2991/amber.k.210616.078 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.210616.078
Tooren, M. and Jong, J. (2014). Job resources and employee health and well-being. Career Development International, 19(1), 101-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi-05-2013-0058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-05-2013-0058
Tsalasah, E., Noermijati, N., & Ratnawati, K. (2019). The effect of work stress on the performance of Employees' psychological well-being and subjective well-being (study at pt. global insight utama Bali area). Mec-J (Management and Economics Journal), 3(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.18860/mec-j.v0i2.5570 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/mec-j.v0i2.5570
Wang, F. and Shi, W. (2020). Inclusive leadership and pro-social rule breaking: the role of psychological safety, leadership identification and leader-member exchange. Psychological Reports, 124(5), 2155-2179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294120953558
Wang, Y., Liu, J., & Zhu, Y. (2018). Humble leadership, psychological safety, knowledge sharing, and follower Creativity: a cross-level investigation. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01727
Wood, E., Harsant, A., Dallimer, M., Chavez, A., McEachan, R., & Hassall, C. (2018). Not all green space is Created equal: biodiversity predicts psychological restorative benefits from urban green space. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02320 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02320
Yang, J., Suh, C., Lee, C., & Son, B. (2018). The work-life balance and psychosocial well-being of South Korean Workers. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0250-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0250-z
Yayla, A. and ?lgin, V. (2021). The relationship of nurses’ psychological well?being with their corona phobia and work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross?sectional study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(21-22), 3153-3162. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15783 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15783
Ye, Q., Wang, D., & Li, X. (2018). Inclusive leadership and employees’ learning from errors: a moderated Mediation model. Australian Journal of Management, 44(3), 462-481. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0312896218805796
Yousaf, K., Abid, G., Butt, T., Ilyas, S., & Ahmed, S. (2019). Impact of ethical leadership and thriving at work on the psychological well-being of employees: the mediating role of voice behavior. Business Management and Education, 17(2), 194-217. https://doi.org/10.3846/bme.2019.11176 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/bme.2019.11176
Zheng, C., Molineux, J., Mirshekary, S., & Scarparo, S. (2015). Developing individual and organizational work-life balance strategies to improve employee health and well-being. Employee Relations, 37(3), 354-379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-10-2013-0142
Copyright (c) 2024 Nor Tasnim Syahera Rasak, Muhamad Nasrullah Zamri, Muhammad Hafiz Suhaimi, Kardina Kamaruddin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Author (s) should affirm that the material has not been published previously. It has not been submitted and it is not under consideration by any other journal. At the same time author (s) need to execute a publication permission agreement to assume the responsibility of the submitted content and any omissions and errors therein. After submission of revised paper in the light of suggestions of the reviewers, the editorial team edits and formats manuscripts to bring uniformity and standardization in published material.
This work will be licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) and under condition of the license, users are free to read, copy, remix, transform, redistribute, download, print, search or link to the full texts of articles and even build upon their work as long as they credit the author for the original work. Moreover, as per journal policy author (s) hold and retain copyrights without any restrictions.
