When guilt drains you: The impact of work–family conflict on emotional exhaustion, mediated by guilt and moderated by supervisor support

Abstract

Purpose Grounded in Boundary Theory, this study examined whether work–family guilt mediates the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and emotional exhaustion and whether perceived supervisor support moderates this indirect effect. We hypothesized that the negative impact of WFC on emotional exhaustion via guilt would be stronger for individuals perceiving lower supervisor support. Design/methodology/approach A three-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 396 employees from luxury Portuguese hotels, with one-week intervals between data collections. Findings Results showed that WFC was positively associated with emotional exhaustion (? = 0.66, p < 0.001). However, the mediating effect of guilt was not supported. The moderated mediation model was significant (? = −0.20, p < 0.01), indicating that the indirect relationship between WFC and emotional exhaustion through guilt was stronger when perceived supervisor support was low. Practical implications These findings advance understanding of the psychological mechanisms linking WFC and emotional exhaustion and underscore the protective role of supervisor support in reducing employees' guilt and emotional strain. Originality/value By integrating affective and contextual factors, this study highlights that supportive supervision can buffer the emotional costs of WFC, offering actionable insights for promoting employee well-being in demanding service contexts.