This study explores the associations between work–family conflict and negative emotions among Generation Z employees, focusing on the roles of psychological capital and emotional exhaustion within a chain mediation framework. Previous studies have mainly examined the relationships of work–family conflict with job satisfaction and quality of life, while research addressing its links with negative emotions remains limited. This study employed a cross-sectional survey method, using established scales to collect data from Generation Z employees working in the health care, education, and information technology industries in Henan, Northern China. A total of 926 valid questionnaires were collected, and hypothesis testing was performed using SPSS. The results indicated significant associations between work–family conflict and negative emotions, with psychological capital and emotional exhaustion jointly associated within this relationship ( β = 0.017, 95% CI 0.010, 0.026). This study extends theoretical understanding of how work–family conflict relates to negative emotions and underscores the relevance of psychological capital in alleviating emotional strain. Employers in China are encouraged to support the development of psychological capital and provide emotional assistance to help Generation Z employees cope more effectively with work–family conflict and maintain mental well-being and career growth.
Chen et al. (Sat,) studied this question.