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The interactive effects of positive affect and conscientiousness on strain
Kelly L Zellars1, Pamela L Perrewé, Wayne A Hochwarter
1Department of Management, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Journal of Occupational Health Psychology
|July 13, 2006
Summary
High positive affect and conscientiousness protect nurses from job strain. This combination of personal resources reduces emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job tension, acting as a buffer against workplace stress.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Psychological Resources
Background:
- Workplace stress, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job tension, significantly impacts healthcare professionals.
- Personal resources are increasingly recognized as crucial moderators of workplace stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effect of positive affect (PA) and conscientiousness on nurse strain.
- To determine if these personal resources act as protective factors against job stress.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from nurses at a metropolitan hospital.
- Statistical analysis examining the interplay between positive affect, conscientiousness, and strain variables (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, job tension).
Main Results:
- A combination of high positive affect and high conscientiousness was significantly associated with lower levels of all measured strain variables.
- Conscientiousness was found to strengthen the negative association between positive affect and job strain.
- These personal dispositions demonstrated a protective effect against experienced work stress.
Conclusions:
- Positive affect and conscientiousness are valuable personal resources for nurses, mitigating the impact of job strain.
- Interventions aimed at fostering these traits may enhance nurse well-being and reduce burnout.
- Future research should explore the mechanisms through which these resources confer protection in demanding work environments.
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