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Guardians in adversity: Job demands, resources, and teachers' willingness to support rural revitalization in Tibetan areas of western China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines why rural teachers persist and support revitalization in a high-altitude Tibetan region of western China. Drawing on survey data from 2936 primary-school teachers and a theory-informed structural equation model, we analyzed links among job demands (burnout, career challenge, effort-reward imbalance), psychological resources (self-efficacy), well-being, job satisfaction, and willingness to contribute. Results showed that demands were negatively related to well-being and satisfaction, whereas self-efficacy was positively associated with both. Unexpectedly, demands also displayed direct positive paths to willingness, and burnout showed a notably strong positive link to willingness and even to well-being. These findings extend dominant models by demonstrating that in frontier rural contexts, certain demands are reframed as meaningful challenges tied to community contribution. The study highlights the importance of efficacy, collegial climates, and recognition of community-facing roles, and calls for longitudinal and multilevel research to probe scope and mechanisms.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106509

Authors: Zibin Wang, Jody Wood, Yining Song, Jingrong Sha

Institutions: Northwest Minzu University, Saint Louis University

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670