Abstract

BECKER, Jurgen R. et al. The moderating role of personality in the job strain process: A latent interaction approach. SA j. ind. Psychol. [online]. 2024, vol.50, n.1, pp.1-19. ISSN 2071-0763.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v50i0.2040.

ORIENTATION: Most stress models emphasise the impact of adverse work conditions on psychological strain. Despite considerable support for these additive models, the role of personal characteristics moderating the stress-strain sequence is under-researched. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The study investigated the indirect and curvilinear effects of personal resources on the stress-strain sequence. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Personal agency may play an important role in changing work conditions, through job crafting and other pro-active work activities. This study's results may enhance popular work strain models through the incorporation of personal characteristics. RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN, AND METHOD: The study made use of a cross-sectional and ex post facto research design and convenience sampling of 879 South African employees across various industries and job levels. The data were collected through a quantitative survey and analysed using latent interaction analysis. MAIN FINDINGS: Broad support was found for the buffering role of sense of coherence on the relationship between job demands and cynicism, and between job demands and exhaustion. PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The results suggest that the existence of resource-rich environments alone may not be enough to guarantee thriving and engaged employees. The motivating potential of resources is enhanced when employees experience a certain degree of challenge in their work. CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The study makes a theoretical contribution by highlighting the importance of personality traits as buffers in the stress-strain sequence. Moreover, latent interaction analysis is seldom used in structural equation modelling, despite holding numerous benefits compared to moderated regression analysis.

Keywords : stress; job demands; work engagement; sense of coherence; personality; conscientiousness; moderators; curvilinear effects.

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