Perceived Work Stressors and Job Performance of Employees in Long-Term Care Settings Within the Context of Self-Supporting Care: The Moderating Effect of Perceived Care Recipients Empowerment

Abstract

In light of global aging trends, it is crucial to understand how workplace stressors impact caregiver performance in long-term care (LTC) settings. This study, grounded in the challenge–hindrance stressor framework and empowerment theory, explores how perceived stressors influence job performance among Taiwanese LTC staff and assesses the moderating effect of perceived care recipient empowerment in self-supporting care environments. A cross-sectional survey of 462 caregivers assessed job stressors, performance, and care recipient empowerment. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that challenge stressors positively influenced job performance, while hindrance stressors had a detrimental effect. Notably, care recipient empowerment moderates both relationships—dampening the positive effect of challenge stressors and mitigating the negative effect of hindrance stressors. These findings underscore the complex role of care recipient empowerment and indicate that effective performance in LTC may depend on carefully balancing empowerment strategies with adequate support for caregiving staff.