Gender differences in labour well-being deficits beyond human capital indicators: A multivariate analysis

Abstract

Educational level and work experience are commonly conceptualized as protective resources against occupational strain within occupational health psychology. However, whether these resources operate similarly across gender remains unclear. The present study examines gender differences in labor well-being deficits while statistically controlling for work experience, educational level, and age. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 582 workers residing and working in Spain. Labor well-being deficits were assessed using the collateral effects battery of the General Labor Well-being Questionnaire (QBLG), which measures burnout, work alienation, and somatization. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the independent contribution of gender after adjusting for experience, education, and age, including interaction terms. Women reported significantly higher levels of collateral effects than men. In the adjusted model, gender remained a significant predictor (B = 8.12, p < .001). Work experience showed a modest negative association with collateral effects (B = −0.41, p = .012), whereas educational level was not statistically significant. Interaction terms between gender and experience and between gender and education were not significant. These findings indicate that gender differences in labor well-being deficits persist beyond traditional human capital resources. The results suggest that gender operates as an independent predictor of occupational strain within the Spanish workforce.