Work-Family Conflict among Junior Physicians: Its Mediating Role in the Relationship between Role Overload and Emotional Exhaustion

Abstract

Problem statement:The use of a mediation model for understanding the mediating impact of work-family conflict on the relationship between role overload and emotional exhaustion has not been given much attention. Approach: This study tested a mediation model consisting of emotional exhaustion as the dependent variable and role overload as the independent variable, with work-family conflict as its mediator. Data were gathered from a sample of 220 female junior physicians aged 40 years and below, having at least one child as well as working full-time in 14 public hospitals in Malaysia, using self-administered questionnaires. The data were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results: Results of correlation analyses revealed that role overload was significantly related to work-family conflict and emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict was significantly related to emotional exhaustion. Results of a series of multiple regression analyzed indicated that work-family conflict partially mediated the relationship between role overload and emotional exhaustion. Conclusion/Recommendations: Junior physicians who experience role overload seem to be more emotionally drained and seem to experience greater conflict between work and family roles. There is a need to reduce the role overload that physicians experience by reviewing the ratio between physicians and patients and re-assessing the number of work hours and the weekly frequency of on-calls. Limiting on-call frequency and hours may be more likely to reduce work-family conflict as well as emotional exhaustion.

Exemplary Physicians' Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

“…24,25 Even the popular media written for the lay reader has begun to sound the alarm with a recent article noting that because of widespread burnout in the medical profession, a growing number of young doctors are now rating their own mental health as ''fair to poor.'' 24,25 Even the popular media written for the lay reader has begun to sound the alarm with a recent article noting that because of widespread burnout in the medical profession, a growing number of young doctors are now rating their own mental health as ''fair to poor.''…”

Impact of Situational and Dispositional Factors on Work-Family Conflict and Job Satisfaction: A Proposed Framework

“…Similarly, Abd Razak et al (2011) in their study also found role overload can caused to higher level of work-family conflict. In supporting this finding, a study by Ahmad (2010) which examined the effect of role overload and work-family conflict among junior physicians in Malaysia revealed a high correlation between these two constructs.…”

The moderating role of leisure participation in work–leisure conflict for the reduction of burnout in hotels and travel agencies

“…Based on the COR theory, job burnout is exacerbated by work–family conflicts that consumes employee resources who require a mix of play, entertainment and work to avoid work–family conflicts (Karatepe, Sokmen, Yavas, & Babakus, ). For example, Ahmad () focussed on this theory to explain the stress and EE that occurs when employees are unable to accomplish the roles associated with work and family. Lin, Huang, et al () also applied COR to investigate the associations of work–family conflict with personal well‐being.…”

“…This study has found limited research in regard to the association between leisure participation and job burnout. For example, Ahmad () stated that job burnout takes place when employee resources such as time, physical and mental energy which are exhausted as a result of work cannot be compensated through leisure activities. Fairbrother and Warn () confirmed that occupational stress has a negative association with job satisfaction.…”