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THE IMPACT OF JOB DEMANDS AND PERSONAL CONTROL ON SATISFACTION, PSYCHOLOGICAL ANXIETY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL (STRESS)
Abstract
The effects of quantitative job demands and personal control on satisfaction, psychological anxiety, and physiological arousal were examined experimentally. Perceived demands had a negative effect on satisfaction and a positive effect on psychological anxiety. Perceived control was found to have a negative effect on psychological anxiety. In addition, perceived control moderated the perceived demands--psychological anxiety relationship. Consistent with Karasek's (1979) Job Strain Model, perceived control reduced psychological anxiety in a quantitatively demanding situation. Desirability of Control, Type A behavior, and locus of control were examined for moderating effects. Type A personalities were found to experience more dissatisfaction when confronted with objective demands. Psychological anxiety was found to be highest for Type A individuals when they perceived a demanding situation. However, psychological anxeity was found to be lowest for Type A individuals when they perceived personal control over their task. Using Levenson's Locus of Control Scale, Internal locus of control individuals reported the highest satisfaction when given objective personal control over a situation. External locus of control, which Levenson divides into two subscales (Chance and Powerful Others), was found to moderate a number of relationships. For example, subjects with a high (versus low) Powerful Others orientation were found to experience more dissatisfaction when they perceived the task as demanding. Chance locus of control was found to moderate the perceived control--pulse rate relationship. Individuals with a high Chance orientation experienced lower pulse rates when they perceived having control over the task situation. Finally, individuals with a high Powerful Others orientation reported lower psychological anxiety when they perceived personal control over the task situation. These are examples of the moderating effects found for locus of control. The psychological and physiological strains resulting from job demands and the beneficial effects of personal control are discussed. The need to attend to certain personality types most susceptible to strains resulting from job demands was addressed. In addition, the benefits of personal control are discussed as being particularly important for Type A personalities and individuals with a high external locus of control.
Subject Area
Management
Recommended Citation
PERREWE, PAMELA LYNN, "THE IMPACT OF JOB DEMANDS AND PERSONAL CONTROL ON SATISFACTION, PSYCHOLOGICAL ANXIETY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL AROUSAL (STRESS)" (1985). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8602118.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8602118