The Impact of Work Stress on Employee’s Emotional Exhaustion Via the Mediating Effect of Negative Affective State

Abstract

This study examines the impact of work stress on employees’ emotional exhaustion, emphasizing the mediating role of negative affective state. Using a quantitative methodology, data were collected from 190 service-sector employees in Pakistan’s Twin Cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including correlation, regression, and mediation testing via Hayes’ bootstrapping method, were employed to assess the proposed relationships. The findings reveal a significant and positive relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, negative affective state is shown to not only be influenced by work stress but also to contribute to emotional exhaustion, thereby acting as a partial mediator. These results underscore the psychological toll of unmanaged workplace stress and emphasize the critical role of emotional states in influencing employee well-being and performance. This study offers both theoretical and managerial insights. Theoretically, it extends prior research by incorporating negative affective state as a mediating variable in the stress-exhaustion relationship. Practically, it provides actionable guidance for HR managers to mitigate emotional exhaustion by addressing work stress and fostering positive emotional conditions in the workplace.