Content area
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to assess the interactive effect of self-efficacy, perceived job control, and perceived job demands on an individual's assessment of a situation as either challenging or threatening. Additionally, the effect of the situation assessment on perceived stress levels was addressed. The theoretical foundation for this analysis was drawn from three independent research streams. First, the concept of self-efficacy as advanced by Bandura (1976). This construct identifies the individual's perception of their ability to successfully perform a specific task. The second stream of research is anchored by Folkman & Lazarus (1985) and deals with the process of coping with stressors. This research identifies two specific appraisal processes which define how well an individual copes in a specific situation. The third stream of research comes from the voluminous area of stress theory. One of the most instructive contributors in this area is Ganster (1989a) who looked at the specific implications of worker control in relation to stress. Additionally, the work of Karasek (1979) was used as the basis for the model presented in this investigation. The extension presented here includes the addition of self-efficacy to the interactive term in an attempt to determine the role of individual difference variables in perceived stress reactivity.
Three relationships were of primary interest in this investigation. First, the relationships between self-efficacy, perceived job control, and perceived job demands in relation to situation assessment; second, the relationships between those same independent variables in relation to perceived health; and third, the relationship between the individual's assessment of the situation and their perceived health. A series of hierarchical regressions were conducted utilizing self-efficacy, perceived job control, and perceived job demands as independent variables; situation assessment as both an independent and dependent variable; and perceived health as a dependent variable. The results of these analyses indicated no significant two-way or three-way interactions, but did find significant main effects for all of the independent variables.
It was concluded that additional exploration into the role of individual differences in stress reactivity was warranted. The potential explanatory power of individual difference variables was indicated.
