Balancing Acts: How do Daily Job Demands, Autonomy, and Relatedness Shape Working Women’s Daily Mood and Satisfaction?

Abstract

Women face structural disadvantages at the workplace, which are often exacerbated by motherhood. This study aimed to understand how women, in general, and mothers, in particular, perceive their daily work life within this overarching dynamic, especially under demanding circumstances. By integrating the Job Demands-Resources Model and the Self- Determination Theory, a daily diary study was conducted. 31 employed women completed a baseline and up to five daily questionnaires. Hierarchical multilevel modeling revealed that daily emotional demands were negatively related to daily mood, supporting the mechanisms of the Job Demands-Resources Model and emphasising the dynamic nature of job demands. Contrary to expectations, autonomy and relatedness (both at work and with family and close others) did not moderate the relationship between daily job demands and daily job satisfaction and mood. However, relatedness at work had a significant relationship with daily job satisfaction and daily mood, highlighting the importance of fostering meaningful connections between employees. These findings highlight the need for supportive workplace cultures and help provide insights on how to build sustainable work environments for women.