Application of the person-centered model to stress and well-being research. An investigation of profiles of employee well-being
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-06-2018-0154 |
| Date | 03 June 2019 |
| Pages | 649-661 |
| Published date | 03 June 2019 |
| Author | Mark Somers,Dee Birnbaum,Jose Casal |
| Subject Matter | Hr & organizational behaviour |
Application of the person-centered
model to stress and
well-being research
An investigation of profiles of
employee well-being
Mark Somers
Martin Tuchman School of Management, New Jersey Institute of Technology,
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Dee Birnbaum
Department of Commerce and Business, Rhodes College, Memphis,
Tennessee, USA, and
Jose Casal
Martin Tuchman School of Management, New Jersey Institute of Technology,
Newark, New Jersey, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate profiles of employee well-being using multiple
components to better understand how well-being is experienced in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach –A survey design with 579 health care workers in the USA was
administered. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify well-being profile groups.
Findings –Six well-being profile groups based on the relative levels of work stress, carry-over stress and job
satisfaction were identified. Profile groups differed with respect to intention to remain in the organization and
occupation, and job search behavior.
Practical implications –Models of well-being at work have generated consistently disappointing results
that have not enhanced the development of programs to increase well-being at work. By identifying patterns
of well-being, this study offers insights into how well-being is experienced so that more targeted programs to
promote it can be implemented.
Originality/value –Although there is increased interest in the person-centered model in organizational
research, it has not been applied to psychological well-being at work. This study represents an initial attempt
to study configurations of well-being based on its components. Results indicate that distinct patterns of
well-being are present, and those patterns are useful in gaining a greater understanding of how well-being is
experienced and in how it can be more effectively managed.
Keywords Employee attitudes, Job satisfaction
Paper type Research paper
Psychological well-being at work has important implications for employees, organizations
andsociety.Indeed,arecentstudybyGohet al. (2016) found that diminished employee
well-being is responsible for 5–8 percent of healthcare costs in the USA, and 120,000
deaths each year. Calls for work organizations to address this problem are evident in the
recent literature (Goh et al., 2016; Guest, 2017). These concerns are highlighted by weak
empirical evidence (cf. Hausser et al., 2010; Viswesvaran et al., 1999), and the need for new
approaches and new methods to better understand and manage employee well-being
(Spector and Pindek, 2016).
Although the need for new models and methods in well-being research has been
recognized, the direction that research might take is not as clear. Conceptual models of
Employee Relations: The
International Journal
Vol. 41 No. 4, 2019
pp. 649-661
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0142-5455
DOI 10.1108/ER-06-2018-0154
Received 4 June 2018
Revised 3 October 2018
24 November 2018
Accepted 3 December 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0142-5455.htm
649
Profiles of
employee
well-being
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