Job Demands–Resources Theory: Ten Years Later

TLDR

Burnout is a work‑related state of exhaustion and cynicism, while work engagement is a positive state of vigor, dedication, and absorption, and the article revisits the 2014 Annual Reviews piece to contextualize JD‑R theory. The article aims to discuss burnout and work engagement, review their antecedents and consequences, and outline four major innovations in JD‑R theory over the past decade. The authors review the person‑×‑situation approach, multilevel JD‑R theory, proactive approaches, and the work‑home resources model, and then elaborate on practical implications and future research opportunities such as interventions and team‑level approaches. The review highlights new empirical findings and theoretical innovations related to JD‑R theory since the 2014 Annual Reviews article.

Abstract

Burnout refers to a work-related state of exhaustion and a sense of cynicism. In contrast, work engagement is a positive motivational state of vigor, dedication, and absorption. In this article, we discuss the concepts of burnout and work engagement and review their antecedents and consequences. We look back at our inaugural Annual Reviews article ( Bakker et al. 2014 ) and highlight new empirical findings and theoretical innovations in relationship to job demands–resources (JD-R) theory. We discuss four major innovations of the past decade, namely ( a) the person × situation approach of JD-R, ( b) multilevel JD-R theory, ( c) new proactive approaches in JD-R theory, and ( d) the work–home resources model. After discussing practical implications, we elaborate on more opportunities for future research, including JD-R interventions, team-level approaches, and demands and resources from other life domains.