The Smaller the Power Distance, the More Genuine the Emotion: Relationships between Power Distance, Emotional Labor, and Emotional Exhaustion among Chinese Teachers

Xiaoshuang Zhu, Guoxiu Tian and Zhonghui Liu
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Xiaoshuang Zhu: College of Teacher Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Guoxiu Tian: College of Teacher Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
Zhonghui Liu: College of Teacher Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-17

Abstract: Using Grandey’s model of emotional labor, this study attempted to reveal the effects of cultural and social factors on teachers’ emotions. Specifically, taking a sample of 3312 Chinese teachers, we examined the effects of power distance (PD) and emotional labor on emotional exhaustion, focusing on the mediating role of emotional labor with different interactive partners. The results showed that Chinese teachers used surface acting (SA) the most with parents, and the least with students; they used the expression of naturally felt emotions (ENFE) the most with students, and the least with colleagues and leaders. They also used deep acting more when working with students and parents. In addition, PD negatively influenced ENFE and positively influenced SA with the three interactive partners. Only SA mediated the relationship between PD and exhaustion. These results improve our understanding of teachers’ emotions in terms of power and suggest that we should consider personal psychological factors (i.e., emotional labor), social factors (i.e., interactive partners), and national culture (i.e., PD) to promote teachers’ well-being.

Keywords: emotional exhaustion; power distance; emotional labor; interactive partner; national culture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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