Job demands, workplace anxiety and psychological capital: Moderation by gender and technology

Abstract

Orientation: Globally, employee workplace stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. Yet, we lack knowledge of work-from-home job demands that prompt it.

Research purpose: The study sought to determine the influence of work-from-home job demands on workplace anxiety and, in turn, how workplace anxiety affects psychological capital.

Motivation for the study: We propose a model that considers four job demands – role ambiguity, work overload, job insecurity and work-home conflict – as sources of workplace anxiety, and in turn the effects of workplace anxiety on psychological capital. Our model posits gender and technology as moderators of the associations among job demands, workplace anxiety and psychological capital.

Research approach/design and method: The study utilised partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse cross-sectional data from a convenience sample of 162 South African employees working from home.

Main findings: We found positive effects of job insecurity on workplace anxiety and moderated effects of both job insecurity and work overload on workplace anxiety, with these associations being stronger for females. Workplace anxiety showed a negative but nonsignificant association with psychological capital. Additionally, the buffering effects of perceived ease of use of technology on psychological capital were evident only when workplace anxiety was low.

Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should address job insecurity and consider gender’s moderating effects. Additionally, they should foster low-anxiety workplaces and provide proactive training on digital technologies.

Contribution/value-add: This study provides one of the first empirical tests of workplace anxiety theory, examining the associations among workplace anxiety, digital technology characteristics and psychological capital.