Since 2018. Adjunct Lecturer (School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism, University of Algarve)
2015-2018. Assistant Lecturer (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve)
Since 2019. Researcher - Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Research Center in Psychology (CIP/UAL & UAlg), Portugal
2012-2018. Researcher - University of Algarve, Research Center on Spatial and Organizational Studies (CIEO), Portugal
EDUCATION
2015. PhD in Psychology. Thesis Title: "Multicultural Competencies: Cultural Intelligence and Multicultural Personality in Organizational and Social Contexts" (Classification: Very Good). University of Algarve.
2010. Master's Degree in Labor Sciences and Labor Relations. Dissertation Title: "Precariousness and Attitudes Towards Work and Employment: The Effect of Contractual Ties" (Classification: 17 out of 20). ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon.
2008. Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management (Final Classification: 16 out of 20). Universidade Lusíada of Porto.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Psychology
46
Scopus Publications
889
Scholar Citations
17
Scholar h-index
27
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
The Effect of Death Anxiety on Work Passion: Moderating Roles of Work Centrality and Work Connection Saeed A. AL-Dossary, Cátia Sousa, Gabriela Gonçalves Omega United States, 2026 Fear of death is an emotional manifestation of the instinct for self-preservation. Any threat to our existence induces an anxiety response. Death anxiety can trigger obsessive-compulsive behaviours, such as an obsessive passion for work. Using a sample of 314 participants (68.2% female), with a mean age of 38.97 years (SD = 10.36), this study sought to observe the predictive effect of death anxiety on work passion, as well as the moderating effect of work-family centrality and connection on the relationship between anxiety and passion. The results revealed that death anxiety negatively affects harmonious passion, and positively affects obsessive passion. Work centrality did not moderate the influence of death anxiety on harmonious and obsessive passion. Nonetheless, work connection moderated the influence of death anxiety on harmonious passion. The negative influence of death anxiety on harmonious passion was greater in a group with high work connection than a group with low connection.
Unable to Switch Off: Fear of Missing Out, Affective Rumination, and Psychological Detachment from Work Cátia Sousa, Bárbara Pires International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2026 The expansion of digital connectivity has reshaped contemporary work environments, increasing flexibility while simultaneously blurring the boundaries between work and personal life. In such contexts, employees may experience difficulties in psychologically detaching from work during off-job time. Drawing on the Effort–Recovery model and Conservation of Resources theory, this study examined whether affective work-related rumination indirectly explained the association between Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and psychological detachment. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 228 employees from diverse occupational sectors who completed validated measures of FoMO, affective rumination, and psychological detachment. Indirect effect analyses using bootstrapping procedures indicated that FoMO was positively associated with affective rumination, and affective rumination was negatively associated with psychological detachment. The indirect effect was significant, whereas the direct association between FoMO and detachment was not. These findings are consistent with an indirect association pattern whereby FoMO is related to lower psychological detachment through higher levels of affective rumination. However, given the cross-sectional design, the results should be interpreted as correlational evidence rather than as demonstrating a causal mediation process. The model accounted for approximately 10% of the variance in psychological detachment. Overall, the findings suggest that FoMO may be indirectly related to reduced recovery experiences via emotionally charged repetitive thinking that sustains cognitive activation beyond working hours. Addressing rumination and supporting healthier digital boundary management may therefore represent promising avenues for supporting occupational mental health in increasingly connected work environments.
Rest to Resist: How Recovery Shields Well-Being from Work–Family Strain Cátia Sousa, Laura Silva Behavioral Sciences, 2025 This study examines the mediating role of recovery experiences in the relationship between work–family conflict (WFC) and employee well-being. While WFC has been consistently linked to negative outcomes such as psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction, the mechanisms that may buffer its effects remain underexplored. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources Theory and the Effort-Recovery Model, we investigated whether four types of recovery experiences—psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control—mediate the WFC–well-being relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 240 employees using validated self-report instruments. Data were analysed through correlation, regression, and mediation techniques, including bootstrapping procedures via PROCESS. The results confirmed a significant negative association between WFC and well-being. All four recovery experiences were positively related to well-being, with relaxation emerging as the strongest predictor. Mediation analyses showed that each of the recovery experiences partially mediated the relationship between WFC and well-being. These findings highlight the importance of recovery as a psychological buffer in the context of elevated work–family interference. Organizational practices that foster recovery—such as encouraging psychological detachment, offering flexible schedules, and promoting restorative activities—may contribute to sustaining employee mental health and resilience.
Ambivalent Sexism and Neosexism: Examining the Role of Affirmative Action Attitudes in Sustaining Workplace Gender Inequality Alexandra Gomes, Jean-Christophe Giger, Cátia Sousa, Joana Santos, Anna Souza, et al. Gender Issues, 2025 Gender-based affirmative action (GAA) in the workplace, despite targeting gender discrimination, elicits negative reactions. Few studies have explored socio-cognitive factors sustaining critics towards GAA. In this study we aim to fill the gap, asserting that individuals can simultaneously hold neosexist beliefs and positive attitudes towards GAA, forming an attitudinal combination that perpetuates workplace gender inequality. We argue that ambivalent sexism precedes adherence to this combination and that ambivalent sexists, high on both hostile and benevolent sexisms, endorse this combination more than other sexists. In a sample of 792 participants (n = 555 employed in public and private institutions; n = 237 college students), results showed that, men displayed higher levels of hostile and benevolent sexism, as well as neosexism, and supported GAA less than women. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis identified four sexist profiles, with an analysis of variance revealing that these profiles were linked to varying levels of neosexism endorsement and support for GAA. Overall, ambivalent sexists reported significantly higher levels of both neosexism and support for GAA compared to hostile, benevolent, or nonsexist participants.
From Passion to Burnout: The Role of Work–Family Conflict and Job Satisfaction in the Workplace Cátia Sousa, Ana Sofia Ferro Social Sciences, 2025 In the modern workplace, understanding the dynamics of work passion and its consequences on employee well-being is crucial. This quantitative study, conducted with Portuguese workers, seeks to examine and validate the Dualistic Model of Passion, which distinguishes between harmonious and obsessive passion, while also exploring the intricate relationships among work passion, job satisfaction, work–family conflict, and burnout. Using mediation analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM), a convenience sample of 326 participants (169 men and 157 women), aged between 19 and 69 years (M = 41.31, SD = 10.52), was analyzed to uncover how different types of work passion—obsessive and harmonious—impact professional outcomes and well-being. The findings reveal that obsessive passion for work is a significant predictor of work–family conflict, which, in turn, escalates the risk of burnout. In contrast, harmonious passion is positively associated with increased job satisfaction and acts as a buffer against the negative effects of work–family conflict. Notably, contrary to initial assumptions, obsessive passion does not directly precipitate burnout. Mediation analyses confirmed that work–family conflict plays a key role in this process, while SEM results demonstrated strong model fit indices, reinforcing its relevance and applicability in organizational settings. These results offer crucial insights for both theoretical advancement and practical applications, highlighting the importance of fostering a work environment that nurtures harmonious passion. By doing so, organizations can mitigate conflict and burnout while promoting higher levels of job satisfaction among employees.
Family and Work: What Does it Mean? A Cross-Cultural Study on Work and Family Representations and its Impact on the Work-Family Centrality Cátia Sousa, Gabriela Gonçalves, Alexandra Gomes, Mariam Anil Ciby, María Navarro-Granados, et al. Psychological Reports, 2025 The way individuals conceptualize and value work and family plays a crucial role in shaping identity and guiding personal and professional priorities. This descriptive-correlational and cross-cultural study aimed to analyze the centrality attributed to work and family, as well as to explore the social representations associated with these two domains. Samples were collected from Canada ( n = 77), India ( n = 201), Oman ( n = 175), Portugal ( n = 340) and Spain ( n = 102), totaling 895 participants. Participants provided demographic information, completed the Work–Family Centrality Scale, and evoked three words related to “family” and “work” through a free association task. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify latent dimensions of representation, and cluster analysis grouped participants into six distinct symbolic profiles. Results confirmed cultural differences in work–family centrality, with participants from Portugal and Spain prioritizing family, and participants from India attributing greater centrality to work. Gender differences were small and not statistically significant. Representational clusters were meaningfully associated with both country and centrality scores, indicating that the symbolic configuration of work and family informs how individuals prioritize these roles in their identity. This study highlights the value of integrating identity theory and Social Representations Theory to understand how personal and cultural meanings shape work–family dynamics.
Catalyzing Success: How Enthusiastic Leaders Drive Performance through Group Satisfaction and Positive Emotions Gabriela Gonçalves, Cátia Sousa, Catarina Veras, Joana Santos Humanistic Management Journal, 2024 Effective leaders employ a blend of transformational and transactional leadership styles to collaborate with their employees, working towards achieving organizational objectives. While the significance of enthusiasm in leadership is acknowledged, its specific role remains largely unexplored within the realm of leadership studies. We contend that enthusiasm assumes a pivotal and influential role in successful leadership, ultimately enhancing overall productivity. This study is dedicated to investigating how leader enthusiasm impacts perceived performance among team members and examine the mediation of group satisfaction and positive emotions in the relationship between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. By analyzing data collected from a participant pool of 311 individuals, our research yields compelling evidence that leader enthusiasm exerts a positive influence on perceived performance. A noteworthy revelation emerging from our research is found in the mediation analysis. This analysis sheds light on the pivotal roles of group satisfaction and positive emotions as key mediators in the link between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. This underscores the concept that leader enthusiasm indirectly shapes how employees perceive their own performance, primarily through its profound impact on group satisfaction and the positive emotions experienced by individual team members. In summary, our study underscores the vital and transformative role of leader enthusiasm in cultivating a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. This, in turn, exerts a positive influence on follower emotions and their perceptions of performance. Our findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms through which leader enthusiasm contributes to shaping employees’ perceptions of their performance.
The Effect of Multicultural Attitudes and Perceived Intergroup Threat on Attitudes Towards Immigrants in Portugal: A Polynomial Regression With Response Surface Analysis Gabriela Gonçalves, Cátia Sousa, Lily A. Arasaratnam-Smith Psychological Reports, 2024 Supported by the Intergroup Threat Theory (ITT), this study analyzes the effect of multicultural ideology on attitudes towards immigrants mediated by realistic, symbolic, and zero-sum threats. With a sample of Portuguese participants ( N = 404)), polynomial regression analysis with response surface methodology was used to test the effects of multicultural attitude (MA) and perceived intergroup threat (PIT) on attitudes towards immigrants (ATI). This study also tested a model in which positive MA leads to a lower PIT, and consequently to more favorable ATI. Four hypotheses were proposed; all of which were confirmed. The results further showed that the direction of discrepancy between MA and PIT can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex role of multicultural ideology in predicting ATI. Findings, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
A multidimensional competence in a multicultural world: Multicultural personality construct and measure Friendship in Cultural and Personality Psychology International Perspectives, 2021
Workaholism and burnout: Antecedents and effects G Gonçalves, F Brito, C Sousa, J Santos, A Sousa Occupational Safety and Hygiene V Proceedings of the International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene Sho 2017, 2017
The workaholism as an obstacle to safety and well-being in the workplace Occupational Safety and Hygiene IV, 2016
The workaholism as an obstacle to safety and well-being in the workplace Occupational Safety and Hygiene IV Selected Extended and Revised Contributions from the International Symposium Occupational Safety and Hygiene 2016, 2016
Co-Exposure to Microplastics and Parabens: Implications for Chlorella vulgaris Bioremediation Efficiency P Sousa, C Sousa, M Simões Scientific Letters 1 (Sup 1) , 2026 2026
Influence of microplastic exposure on nutrient uptake and growth performance of Chlorella vulgaris P Sousa, C Sousa, M Simões Scientific Letters 1 (Sup 1) , 2026 2026
The effect of death anxiety on work passion: moderating roles of work centrality and work connection SA Al-Dossary, C Sousa, G Gonçalves OMEGA-Journal of death and dying 93 (1), 187-208 , 2026 2026 Citations: 7
Unable to Switch Off: Fear of Missing Out, Affective Rumination, and Psychological Detachment from Work C Sousa, B Pires International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23 (4), 463 , 2026 2026
Sustainable development goals applied to the Maritime Transportation sector: setting sail for the future C Sousa, A Brasão, T Silva, S Tserashkovich Natural Resources Forum , 2026 2026
Influence of microplastics on microalgal performance during wastewater polishing PMS Sousa, CA Orge, OSGP Soares, CA Sousa, M Simões Journal of Environmental Sciences , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Microplastic–Microalgae Interactions: Effects on Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Chlorella vulgaris P Sousa, C Sousa, M Simões MDPI , 2025 2025
Eradicating microplastics in wastewater: microalgae as a sustainable strategy PM Silva, PMS Sousa, M Simões, CA Sousa Science of The Total Environment 999, 180366 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Rest to Resist: How Recovery Shields Well-Being from Work–Family Strain C Sousa, L Silva Behavioral Sciences 15 (8), 1089 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Family and Work: What Does it Mean? A Cross-Cultural Study on Work and Family Representations and its Impact on the Work-Family Centrality C Sousa, G Gonçalves, A Gomes, MA Ciby, M Navarro-Granados, ... Psychological Reports, 00332941251363904 , 2025 2025
Adaptation and Validation of the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) for the Portuguese Population: A Study on the Assessment of the Restorative Effect of Environments C Sousa, MJ Fernandes, T Encarnação, G Gonçalves Green Health 1 (2), 7 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Ambivalent sexism and neosexism: examining the role of affirmative action attitudes in sustaining workplace gender inequality A Gomes, JC Giger, C Sousa, J Santos, A Souza, G Gonçalves Gender Issues 42 (2), 10 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Inertia and Sleep Disorders: A Comparative Qualitative Study Between Professional and Volunteer Firefighters G Gonçalves, A Sousa, C Sousa, A Luís Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health VI: Volume 1: Occupational … , 2025 2025
From passion to burnout: the role of work–family conflict and job satisfaction in the workplace C Sousa, AS Ferro Social Sciences 14 (2), 104 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Death anxiety and work passion: Cross-cultural analyses from Portugal and Saudi Arabia C Sousa, G Gonçalves, SA AL-Dossary Current Psychology 44 (2), 1250-1259 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Flourishing, cinematic self, and sense of self as predictors of death anxiety: A gender-invariant model A Gomes, SA Al-Dossary, C Sousa, G Gonçalves OMEGA-Journal of Death and Dying, 00302228241307256 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Catalyzing success: How enthusiastic leaders drive performance through group satisfaction and positive emotions G Gonçalves, C Sousa, C Veras, J Santos Humanistic Management Journal 9 (3), 397-415 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
The effect of multicultural attitudes and perceived intergroup threat on attitudes towards immigrants in Portugal: A polynomial regression with response surface analysis G Gonçalves, C Sousa, LA Arasaratnam-Smith Psychological Reports 127 (5), 2368-2392 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
First-year higher education student environmental literacy–the Algarve University case C Campos, J Fernandes, G Gonçalves, C Sousa, H Spínola Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
First-year higher education student environmental literacy–the Algarve University case C Oliveira Campos, MJ Silva Fernandes, G Gonçalves, C Sousa, ... Universitat Politècnica de València , 2024 2024
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Cultural intelligence and conflict management styles G Gonçalves, M Reis, C Sousa, J Santos, A Orgambídez-Ramos, P Scott International Journal of Organizational Analysis 24 (4), 725-742 , 2016 2016 Citations: 102
Portuguese mothers and fathers share similar levels of work-family guilt according to a newly validated measure G Goncalves, C Sousa, J Santos, T Silva, K Korabik Sex Roles 78 (3), 194-207 , 2018 2018 Citations: 51
Restorative effects of biophilic workplace and nature exposure during working time: A systematic review G Gonçalves, C Sousa, MJ Fernandes, N Almeida, A Sousa International journal of environmental research and public health 20 (21), 6986 , 2023 2023 Citations: 41
Organizational practices for the expatriates’ adjustment: a systematic review C Sousa, G Gonçalves, J Santos, J Leitão Journal of Global Mobility 5 (3), 251-274 , 2017 2017 Citations: 41
Pets at work: Effects on social responsibility perception and organizational commitment. C Sousa, J Esperança, G Gonçalves Psychology of Leaders and Leadership 25 (2), 144 , 2022 2022 Citations: 37
Expatriates and non-expatriates: Effects of cultural intelligence and multicultural personality on passion for work and satisfaction with life C Sousa, G Gonçalves Psychological Thought 10 (1), 90-108 , 2017 2017 Citations: 37
Work-oriented men and women: Similar levels of work-family conflict and guilt yet different coping strategies C Sousa, K Kuschel, A Brito, G Gonçalves Psychological Thought 11 (2), 195-211 , 2018 2018 Citations: 36
Evidências métricas da adaptação da escala de inteligência cultural numa amostra portuguesa C Sousa, G Gonçalves, M Reis, JV Santos Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica 28 (2), 232-241 , 2015 2015 Citations: 35
Intercultural communication competence scale: Invariance and construct validation in Portugal G Gonçalves, C Sousa, LA Arasaratnam-Smith, N Rodrigues, ... Journal of Intercultural Communication Research 49 (3), 242-262 , 2020 2020 Citations: 32
Intercultural contact as a predictor of cultural intelligence C Sousa, G Gonçalves, J Santos Universitas Psychologica 18 (2), 1-12 , 2019 2019 Citations: 29
Are we getting less sexist? A ten-year gap comparison analysis of sexism in a Portuguese sample A Gomes, G Gonçalves, C Sousa, J Santos, JC Giger Psychological Reports 125 (4), 2160-2177 , 2022 2022 Citations: 26
The relationship between multicultural competencies and intercultural contact: Multicultural personality and cultural intelligence C Sousa, G Gonçalves, J Santos, A Orgambídez-Ramos Psicologia & Sociedade 31, e166867 , 2019 2019 Citations: 23
Effects of work-family and family-work conflict and guilt on job and life satisfaction C Sousa, E Pinto, J Santos, G Gonçalves Polish Psychological Bulletin 51 (4), 305-314 , 2020 2020 Citations: 22
Explanatory contribution of social responsibility and organizational justice on organizational commitment: An exploratory study in a higher public education institution G Rafael, G Gonçalves, J Santos, A Orgambídez-Ramos, C Sousa Polish Psychological Bulletin, 470-480 , 2017 2017 Citations: 22
Imigrantes e sociedade de acolhimento: percepções e realidades no caso de Portugal C Sousa, G Gonçalves Psicologia & Sociedade 27, 548-557 , 2015 2015 Citations: 20
Measurement invariance and country difference in death anxiety: Evidence from Portuguese and Arab samples G Gonçalves, SA AL-Dossary, C Sousa Current Psychology 43 (5), 4255-4265 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
The effect of multicultural experience in conflicts management styles: Mediation of cultural intelligence and self-monitoring G Gonçalves, M Reis, C Sousa, J Santos, A Orgambídez-Ramos Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being 3 (1), 4-21 , 2015 2015 Citations: 18
O desenvolvimento de competências dos cuidadores formais: O caso das instituições de apoio a idosos na região do Algarve S Manuel, N Braz, C Sousa, G Gonçalves Universidade do Algarve , 2020 2020 Citations: 15
From passion to burnout: the role of work–family conflict and job satisfaction in the workplace C Sousa, AS Ferro Social Sciences 14 (2), 104 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Job Satisfaction Scale of Warr, Cook and Wall (1979): The psychometric properties of the Portuguese version JV dos Santos, C Sousa, G Gonçalves Psychological Bulletin , 2022 2022 Citations: 14
