A Multidimensional Support Framework for Addressing Job Burnout: A Theoretical Exploration in the Chinese Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i1.38.2025Keywords:
Support, Burnout, Administrative Staff, Universities, Job Demands-ResourcesAbstract
This conceptual paper explores strategies for mitigating job burnout among university administrators through the integration of multidimensional support systems. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, the study identifies key challenges faced by administrators, including unbalanced workloads, insufficient support structures, and limited opportunities for professional development. The analysis highlights the critical role of organizational support, work support, social support, and family support in alleviating burnout and enhancing administrators' well-being. By applying the JD-R framework, this paper offers strategic recommendations for strengthening support mechanisms, reducing burnout, and fostering higher levels of job engagement. These insights contribute to the development of practical solutions aimed at enhancing administrators’ professional experiences and advancing the overall competitiveness of higher education institutions.
References
Alarcon, G. M. (2011). A meta-analysis of burnout with job demands, resources, and attitudes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(2), 549–562.
Bakker, A. B., Demerouti, E., & Verbeke, W. (2004). Using the job demands‐resources model to predict burnout and performance. Human Resource Management: Published in Cooperation with the School of Business Administration, The University of Michigan and in alliance with the Society of Human Resources Management, 43(1), 83-104.
Bakker, A. B., & De Vries, J. D. (2021). Job Demands–Resources theory and self-regulation: New explanations and remedies for job burnout. Anxiety, stress, & coping, 34(1), 1-21.
Bao, R. Q. (2023). On Causes and Countermeasures of Occupational Burnout among Grassroots Teaching Management Personnel in Universities. Journal of Fujian Open University (06), 57-61.
Boston Consulting Group. (2024, June 11). Half of workers around the world struggling with burnout. Boston Consulting Group.
Chen, L. (2023). Occupational burnout cause and countermeasure analysis of colleges and universities. Scientific consultation (science and technology management) (04), 31-33.
De Beer, L. T., Schaufeli, W. B., & Bakker, A. B. (2022). Investigating the validity of the short form Burnout Assessment Tool: A job demands-resources approach. African Journal of Psychological Assessment, 4, 9.
Demerouti, E., Bakker, A. B., Peeters, M. C., & Breevaart, K. (2021). New directions in burnout research. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 30(5), 686-691.
Dinibutun, S. R., Kuzey, C., & Dinc, M. S. (2020). The effect of organizational climate on faculty burnout at state and private universities: A comparative analysis. Sage Open, 10(4), 2158244020979175.
Fang, Y. L., & Zuo, X. C. (2024). Breaking through the career development dilemma of the administrative staff of colleges and universities. Human Resources, (02), 50-51.
Featherstone, B. (2003). Family life and family support: A feminist analysis. Palgrave Macmillan.
Feng, L. Y. (2023). Research on the Influence of Perceived Organizational Support on Job Performance——The Mediating Role of Job Crafting (Dissertation, Liaoning University).
Geng, J. X., Wu Y., Meng, F. Y., Yao, L. H., & Xing, C. (2017). Effects of Social Support on School Football Teachers' Professional Identity: A Mediating Effect of Sense of Career Calling. Journal of Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, 51(09), 81-87+94.
Guo, T. T. (2023). Research on occupational burnout of grassroots administrative personnel in colleges and universities (master’s degree thesis, Suzhou University).
He, W. W. (2023). Research on the Optimization of Administrative Personnel Training System of S Private College under the Background of Digitalization . (Dissertation, Guangxi University).
Jin, R. (2022). Job satisfaction and burnout of psychiatric nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in China—the moderation of family support. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1006518.
Karagöl, A., & Kaya, Z. T. (2022). Healthcare workers’ burn-out, hopelessness, fear of COVID-19 and perceived social support levels. The European Journal of Psychiatry, 36(3), 200-206.
Karakose, T., Yirci, R., & Papadakis, S. (2021). Exploring the interrelationship between covid-19 phobia, work–family conflict, family–work conflict, and life satisfaction among school administrators for advancing sustainable management. Sustainability, 13(15), 8654.
Koroglu, Ş., & Ozmen, O. (2022). The mediating effect of work engagement on innovative work behavior and the role of psychological well-being in the job demands–resources (JD-R) model. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 14(1), 124-144.
Liao, Y. Z., Ye, N., & Yang, R. (2023). Research on the current situation and countermeasures of job burnout among college administrators: A case study of Jiangsu Y Vocational College. Scientific Consulting (Science and Technology Management) (01), 13-15.
Li, S. F. (2023). Research on the influencing factors and countermeasures of occupational burnout of grassroots administrative staff in private universities (master’s degree thesis, Xinxiang Medical College).
Li, X., & Wang, J. (2018). Problems and Solutions of Administrative Management in Private Colleges. Journal of Qiqihar Teachers College, 01.
Liu, X. (2024). In the new era, the development path of the administrative talent team of universities in the new era. Office business (08), 115-117.
Liu, X. (2020). The Influence of Work and Family Support on Employees' Creativity. Management and Technology of Small and Medium Enterprises (First Half of the Month) (02), 146-147. doi:CNKI:SUN:ZXQY.0.2020-02-077.
Maslach, C. (1986). Stress, burnout, and workaholism.
Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W. B., & Leiter, M. P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual review of psychology, 52(1), 397-422.
Otterbach, S., Charlwood, A., Fok, Y. K., & Wooden, M. (2021). Working-time regulation, long hours working, overemployment and mental health. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(22), 4659-4686.
Statista. (2023). Prevalence of depression risks among the Chinese population in 2022, by work-related burnout level. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1392659/china-depression-risks-by-work-related-burnout-level/
Vander Ross, M. R., Olckers, C., & Schaap, P. (2022). Engagement of academic staff amidst COVID-19: The role of perceived organizational support, burnout risk, and lack of reciprocity as psychological conditions. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 874599.
Van Woerkom, M., Bakker, A. B., & Nishii, L. H. (2016). Accumulative job demands and support for strength use: Fine-tuning the job demands-resources model using conservation of resources theory. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(1), 141.
Viswesvaran, C., Sanchez, J. I., & Fisher, J. (1999). The role of social support in the process of work stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of vocational behavior, 54(2), 314-334.
Wei, J. W. (2021). The impact of work-family stress conflict on employee work engagement - mediated by organizational support perception. Modern Business (03), 71-73. doi:10.14097/j.cnki.5392/2021.03.022.
Wu, W. J. (2020). Research on the administrative management and operation mechanism of private universities in China under the new situation. Bohai Economic Outlook (11), 135-136. doi:10.16457/j.cnki.hbhjjlw.2020.11.064.
Zhang, J. N. (2021). Research on the current situation and countermeasures of grassroots administrative personnel team building in private colleges and universities. Light Industry Science and Technology 37(05), 212-213.
Zheng, D. (2022). Research on the impact of organizational support on employee work performance (Master's degree thesis, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China).
Zhou, H. J. (2023). The impact of work-family conflict on job burnout among middle school teachers: The mediating role of family support (Master's thesis, Hunan Agricultural University).
Zhou, L. S. C. (2022). Research on the problem of occupational burnout of grassroots administrative personnel in colleges and universities (Master's degree thesis, Chang'an University).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Shi Ailing, Zuraidah Zainol, Zhou Yuzi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
