The Influence of Work Stress on the Work Performance of University Teachers in Zhejiang Province, China: The Mediating Role of Work Happiness

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of work stress on university teachers in Zhejiang Province, China, and examines whether their work performance can be enhanced through increased work happiness. Grounded in the theory of conservation of resources, the research uses structural equation modeling to analyze and validate these relationships. A survey was conducted to assess the effect of work stress on work performance, focusing on factors such as work stress, work happiness, and work performance among university teachers in Zhejiang Province. The study involved 756 teachers from ten universities, providing a substantial sample for analysis. The findings from the overall model indicate that work stress negatively affects the work performance of university teachers in Zhejiang Province. However, this relationship is mediated by work happiness, suggesting that reducing work stress can increase work happiness, thereby improving work performance.

Received: 19 August 2024 / Accepted: 22 December 2024 / Published: 05 January 2025