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The job demands-resources seesaw: Dynamic interactions between task demand types and personal resources
Sebastian Moder1, Alexandra Hoffmann2, Marco R Furtner1
1Liechtenstein Business School, University of Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein.
Acta Psychologica
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Personal resources like mindfulness and psychological capital (PsyCap) influence how employees perceive job demands. However, certain demands can deplete these resources, highlighting a complex interplay impacting work well-being.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Work and Health Psychology
Background:
- The Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model is central to understanding employee well-being.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the interplay between personal resources and job demands, specifically their dual impact on perception and resource depletion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how personal resources (mindfulness, psychological capital) interact with job demands within the JD-R framework.
- To determine if personal resources alter the perception of job demands or if job demands deplete personal resources.
Main Methods:
- Two studies experimentally manipulated job demands (quantitative, cognitive, emotional) in employee samples.
- Study 1 (N=253) examined perception and appraisal effects.
- Study 2 (N=207) investigated resource depletion effects.
Main Results:
- Self-efficacy and resilience reduced perceived demands and hindrance appraisals.
- Mindfulness predicted higher challenge appraisals and emotional demands.
- Quantitative and cognitive demands depleted self-efficacy; emotional demands increased state mindfulness.
Conclusions:
- A complex 'seesaw effect' exists where specific demands interact with particular resources.
- Findings underscore the need for interventions that build personal resources and balance demands for optimal work performance and well-being.
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