Using job strain and psychological contract theories to predict employee wellbeing in a reformed public sector agency

This study investigates the issues that contribute to employee wellbeing in a public sector agency having undergone substantial reform. The research is based on a model that is initially demand-oriented, and is expanded to incorporate psychological contract breach and organisational justice. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted on the 1,010 completed surveys. The results confirm the value of the job strain model (JSM) and that the inclusion of breach and fairness were worthwhile extensions of the JSM. Future research may wish to extend this approach and incorporate more of the social aspects of the work situation in studies of employee wellbeing.