In the JD-R model, what is the role of personal resources?

• A. They buffer the impact of high demands.
• B. They increase job demands.
• C. They determine pay raises.
• D. They have no effect on burnout.

Answer: (A)

In the JD-R model, personal resources act as buffers against the negative effects of high work demands. When demands are heavy, individuals with strong personal resources—like self-efficacy, resilience, optimism, and effective coping strategies—use those assets to cope more effectively, so the link between demands and burnout is weakened. This buffering helps maintain engagement and reduces the risk of burnout, which is especially relevant in healthcare where emotional and workload demands are high. The other ideas don’t fit as well: personal resources don’t raise demands, they don’t determine pay raises, and they do influence burnout by attenuating its connection to demands.