The nonlinear relationship between psychological contract and burnout among Chinese government employees: a moderated mediation model

Background: Grassroots government employees of the Chinese government are crucial for realizing Chinese-style modernization. However, the mismatch between governance resources and demands causes high burnout among them, impacting work efficiency and effectiveness. This study, based on expectancy disconfirmation theory (EXT) and self-regulation theory (SRT), constructs a moderated mediation model to show how psychological contracts (PC), perceived insider status (PIS), and bianzhi affect the burnout. Objective: This study aims to explore the nonlinear relationship between PC and burnout among Chinese grassroots government employees, and reveal the mediating role of PIS and the moderating role of bianzhi. Methods: A total of 527 Chinese government employees was used. Data were analyzed using the stepwise regression method, the MEDCURVE plugin and the PROCESS macro bootstrap approach. Findings and conclusion: The results illustrated that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between PC and burnout. PC has an inverted U-shaped mediating effect via PIS. Bianzhi moderates both of them, and the mediating effect of PIS is affected by it. Implications: This research findings are supported by the relevant conclusions of EXT and SRT, providing evidence for theory development. It also comprehensively explains relationships among PC, PIS, bianzhi and burnout. This study provides theoretical support and practical references for alleviating burnout of grassroots government employees and optimizing human resource management in public sectors. It innovatively verifies the inverted U-shaped relationship between PC and burnout of grassroots government employees, clarifies the moderating mechanism of bianzhi differences on the mediating path, and enriches the research perspective of occupational health in public sectors.