Challenge and hindrance job demands, job resource, and their relationships with vigor and emotional exhaustion

This study extended the job demands-resources model by investigating the different impact of challenge and hindrance stressors on vigor (key dimension of work engagement) and exhaustion (key dimension of job burnout). Data was collected from 199 nurses of a hospital in a two-time-period survey with a three-month time lag. Results supported those theoretical extensions that the relationship between job demands and vigor might depend on whether the demands are associated with hindrances or challenges. (a) Quantitative workload, a challenge stressor, was positively related to vigor. (b) Office politics, a hindrance stressor, was negatively related to vigor. (c) Both quantitative workload and office politics had positive effect on emotional exhaustion. (d) In addition, autonomy was positively related to vigor.