Increasing demands, decreasing resources: conflict and enhancement in UK academics

Abstract

There is evidence that work-related demands are increasing in the UK higher education sector and resources diminishing. Employees commonly report difficulties managing the work-home interface, which is a considerable source of strain. Using a sample of 12,635 academics, this study utilises structural equation modelling techniques to test key assumptions of the job demands-resources model in predicting perceived stress, work-life conflict and work-life enhancement. The findings suggest that job demands are more heavily implicated in perceptions of perceived stress and work-life conflict, whereas resources are more strongly related to enhancement. The implications of the findings for employees and institutions are discussed.