Work

Linking citizenship pressure to work-family conflict: the mediating role of citizenship fatigue and the moderating role of mindfulness

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, employees are often encouraged to take on tasks beyond their responsibilities, which may lead to citizenship fatigue, and be associated with work-family conflict. As an important individual resource, mindfulness may buffer this process. METHODS: drawing on resource conservation theory and role pressure theory, this study examines the mechanism underlying the relationship between citizenship pressure and employees’ work-family conflict and constructs a mediating model that includes citizenship fatigue and mindfulness. The data were collected from 287 employees in China. RESULTS: The results reveal that citizenship pressure is positively associated with employees’ work-family conflict, with citizenship fatigue partially mediating this relationship. Furthermore, mindfulness moderates both the direct effect of citizenship pressure on work-family conflict and the second stage of the mediation process. The moderated mediation effect is also significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study empirically validated the relationship between citizenship pressure and work-family conflict, providing guidance for organizations to address work-family conflicts related to citizenship pressure by managing employee work fatigue and fostering mindfulness.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-04181-6

Authors: Peixu He, Junna Liu, Junna Liu, Jiahui Liu, Jiahui Liu, Xinru Wu

Institutions: Huaqiao University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Language: English

Topic: Work-Family Balance Challenges

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990