Effects of age, gender, and emotional labor strategies on job outcomes: Moderated mediation analyses

Abstract

Based on socioemotional selectivity theory (SST; Carstensen, Isaacowitz, & Charles, 1999), we examined the role of age on the selection of emotional labor strategies, and how the latter mediated the association between age / gender and job satisfaction as well as psychological health. We also examined whether gender would moderate the association between age and emotional labor strategies. Correlation results showed that age was related to the use of deep acting and the expression of naturally felt emotions. Furthermore, results showed that the conditional indirect effect of deep acting between age and job satisfaction was significant, and the significant effect was found in both gender groups. Limitations and practical implications are discussed. © 2010 International Association of Applied Psychology.