Abstract
Aim: The main purpose of the present study was to extend the Job Demand Control Support (JDCS) model analyzing the direct and interactive role of occupational coping self-efficacy (OCSE) beliefs.Background: OCSE refers to an individual’s beliefs about their ability to cope with occupational stressors. The interplay between occupational stressors, job resources, and self-efficacy beliefs is poorly investigated. The present research attempts to address this gap.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Method: Questionnaire data from 1479 nurses (65% response) were analyzed. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the direct and moderating role of OCSE in conjunction with job demands (i.e., time pressure), and two job resources: job control (i.e., decision latitude and skill discretion) and social support (i.e., supervisor support and coworker support) in predicting psychological distress and well-being.Results: Our findings indicated that high demands, low job control, and low social support additively predicted the distress/well-being outcomes (job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, psychological distress, and somatic complaints). Beyond the main effects, no significant interactive effects of demands, control, and support were found. OCSE accounted for an additional 1–4% of the variance in the outcomes, after controlling for the JDCS variables. In addition, the results indicate that OCSE buffers the association between low job control and the distress dimensions emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and psychological distress. Low control was detrimental only for nurses with low OCSE.Conclusion: Our results suggest expanding the JDCS model incorporating individual characteristics such as OCSE beliefs, for predicting psychological distress and well-being. Limitations of the study and practical implications are discussed.
Highlights
Research conducted in the health care sector in several countries suggests that nursing work has become increasingly stressful, with levels of psychological distress exceeding those of general population norms (Gelsema et al, 2007; Pisanti et al, 2011; Rudman et al, 2012)
We addressed a noteworthy limitation of the Job Demand Control Support (JDCS) model and we tested the role of occupational coping self-efficacy (OCSE) as specified in Social Cognitive theory
We aimed to investigate the relationships between occupation-specific assessed psychosocial job dimensions and job-related and general distress/well-being in nurses, focusing on both the additive and interactive hypotheses of the Job Demands-Control-Support (JDCS) model; and on the direct and moderating role of an individual variable, OCSE, in this context
Summary
Research conducted in the health care sector in several countries suggests that nursing work has become increasingly stressful, with levels of psychological distress exceeding those of general population norms (Gelsema et al, 2007; Pisanti et al, 2011; Rudman et al, 2012). Evidence for direct and/or moderating effects of occupational self-efficacy beliefs would lead to the recommendation to promote stress management training that focuses on how to cope more effectively in the health care context. If coping self-efficacy fails to moderate the impact of occupational stressors and does not have direct effects on well-being either, the focus should be on organizational interventions, aimed at improving the work environment
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