Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examined the extent to which psychosocial job demands and organizational resources are associated with quality of work life (QWL) and mental well-being in psychologists, using the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model as a conceptual framework to guide the selection of predictors and the interpretation of relationships between burnout, engagement, and occupational health. METHODS: A cross-sectional correlational design was applied, combining hierarchical multiple regression and a path analysis within a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework. The sample comprised 624 practicing psychologists in Spain who completed validated self-report measures of burnout, job demands, autonomy, social support, work engagement, psychological symptoms, and QWL. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the incremental explained variance of sociodemographic, organizational, and psychological predictors. RESULTS: Findings indicated that job demands, organizational resources, engagement, and indicators of mental health accounted for 45% of the variance in QWL. Emotional exhaustion, psychological demands, dedication, and anxiety–insomnia emerged as the strongest correlates. The final path model, specified with observed variables, confirmed that psychological demands (β = − .16), emotional exhaustion (β = − .21), and anxiety–insomnia (β = − .16) were negatively associated with QWL, whereas autonomy (β = .13), perceived social support (β = .07), and dedication (β = .25) showed positive associations. The model explained 44% of the variance in QWL. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings highlight the relevance of psychosocial demands and resources in understanding variations in psychologists’ QWL. Strategies aimed at reducing emotional strain and enhancing autonomy, social support, and work engagement may be considered in future intervention-oriented research for promoting practitioners’ well-being and sustaining professional functioning. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-026-04352-5.