Hindrance job demands and work-life balance: moderated mediation analysis of perceived overqualification, experience and number of children

Purpose This study investigated whether hindrance job demands (HJDs) are directly or indirectly related to work-life balance (WLB) via perceived overqualification (POQ) and whether the direct relationship would be conditional on work experience and number of children. Design/methodology/approach We collected longitudinal data from 726 minibus drivers at three points of measurement over a period of ten months among minibus drivers of mass transit companies in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Findings Using PROCESS Macro, the results of the moderated mediation analysis showed that all the hypotheses tested in the study were confirmed. Specifically, HJDs related negatively to WLB and POQ mediated this relationship. The results equally indicated that driving experience and a high number of children moderated the negative relationship between HJDs and WLB. Originality/value Despite the preponderance of overqualification in many economies, including Nigeria, research regarding the understanding of POQ as a mediator is restricted. More so, earlier studies utilized cross-sectional data when examining POQ, which questions the validity of earlier findings, especially as it concerns the relationship between POQ and employee well-being. We adopted the longitudinal design to gain long-term effects of HJDs on WLB. Our results contribute to the job demands and WLB literature by pointing out why job HJDs are negatively related to WLB and the conditions under which this relationship occurs.