Pregnancy-related discrimination and expectant workers' psychological well-being and work engagement: understanding the moderating role of job resources

Hassard, Juliet; Wang, Weiwei; Delic, Lana; Gruzdyte, Ieva; Dale-Hewitt, Vanessa; Thomson, Louise

Abstract

Purpose: In this paper, the authors apply the Job Demand-Resource Model to investigate the association between pregnancy-related discrimination (conceptualised as a job demand) and expectant workers' psychological well-being and work engagement, and the moderating role of workplace support (co-worker and supervisor social support and perceived organisational family support (POFS); conceptualised as job resources). Design/methodology/approach: The paper conducted a cross-sectional online survey of vocationally active British workers in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy using purposive sampling techniques. Participants were recruited through online forums and social media platforms. A sample of 186 was used to conduct multiple regression and moderation analysis (SPSS v28 and STATA v17). Findings: The authors observed that higher levels of pregnancy-related discrimination were associated with poorer psychological well-being and work engagement among surveyed expectant workers. Perceived co-worker social support moderated both these relationships for psychological well-being (demonstrating a buffering effect) and work engagement (an antagonist effect). POFS and supervisor support did not moderate this association. Practical implications: This paper highlights the importance of pregnancy-related discrimination at work as a work stressor, necessitating its reduction as part of organisations' strategies to manage and prevent work-related stress above and beyond their legal requirements to do so under national-level equality legislation. It also sheds light on the potential value of resource-based interventions. Originality/value: This is the first study to investigate pregnancy-related discrimination and work-related health outcomes within a British sample, and to explore the potential protective health and motivational value of job resources there within.

Citation

Hassard, J., Wang, W., Delic, L., Gruzdyte, I., Dale-Hewitt, V., & Thomson, L. (2023). Pregnancy-related discrimination and expectant workers' psychological well-being and work engagement: understanding the moderating role of job resources. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 16(2/3), 188-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-01-2022-0005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 13, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 23, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 26, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 23, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Workplace Health Management
• Print ISSN: 1753-8351
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-836X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 2/3
• Pages: 188-204
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-01-2022-0005
• Keywords: Pregnancy; Discrimination; Psychological well-being; Work engagement; The Job Demand-Resource model
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/20000679