Relationships between individual attitudes and occupational stress. A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Psychological Science

Background:

• Occupational stress impacts employee wellbeing and productivity.
• Understanding the influence of work attitudes on stress is crucial for intervention.
• Key attitudes include work annoyance, social capital, overcommitment, and work engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between specific work attitudes and perceived occupational stress.
• To examine the predictive value of work attitudes on stress levels.
• To determine the potential buffering effect of social capital on the relationship between overcommitment and stress.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey design.
• 1290 employees from diverse occupational sectors participated.
• Validated psychometric scales were used to assess work attitudes and stress.
• Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• Work annoyance and overcommitment were positively associated with occupational stress.
• Individual social capital and work engagement showed a protective effect, mitigating stress.
• Social capital moderated the relationship between overcommitment and stress, demonstrating a buffering effect.

Conclusions:

• Negative work attitudes like annoyance and overcommitment contribute to psychological strain.
• Positive attitudes, social capital, and work engagement are protective factors against occupational stress.
• Interventions promoting supportive environments, engagement, and social cohesion can mitigate workplace stress and enhance wellbeing.