Abstract:
Recently, studies have shown the positive (challenge) and negative (hindrance) nature of stressors can influence job outcomes in opposite directions. However, no study has explored the interaction effects of these stressor dimensions on each other. The direct and interaction effects were tested with two studies: (1) 100 blue collar workers from a single organization, and (2) 275 Maori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) employees from a variety of professions and industries. Study 1 found support for the direct effects towards employee loyalty and organizational commitment, and this was also supported in study 2 towards perceived organizational support and job satisfaction. In study 2, only hindrance stressors predicted employee loyalty. Overall, three significant interaction effects were found towards employee loyalty (in both studies) and perceived organizational support, with respondents with high challenge stressors and low hindrance stressors reporting the highest levels of job outcomes. These findings support the interplay between stressors and highlight the benefits for organizations in seeking to address enhanced challenge stressors while also minimizing hindrance stressors.
