Appraisal of job autonomy: Unveiling the spectrum of resources and stressors
Sprache des Vortragstitels:
Englisch
Original Tagungtitel:
16th EAOHP Conference
Sprache des Tagungstitel:
Englisch
Original Kurzfassung:
Background: The recognition of distinct job stressors, such as challenges versus hindrances, is well-established. However, while job resources are typically considered uniformly, Warr's vitamin model suggests varying types of job resources, akin to diverse stressors. This study delves into job autonomy, a well-studied resource, exploring how employees perceive their autonomy levels and whether these perceptions relate to their expectations. It was hypothesized that higher autonomy levels would be valued as a resource and seen as challenging, while lower autonomy would be appraised as stressful, particularly hindering. These appraisals were expected to intensify when employees desired greater autonomy. Conversely, those desiring less autonomy might view high levels as less beneficial and lower levels as less stressful.
Method: As part of a larger, longitudinal research project, data on actual and desired scheduling and methods autonomy were collected among 708 German employees. Participants evaluated their actual autonomy in terms of resource, stressor, challenge, hindrance, and threat. Polynomial regression and response surface analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses.
Results: As predicted, higher actual autonomy related positively to resource and challenge appraisals and negatively to stress, hindrance, and threat appraisals. Desire for higher autonomy amplified these appraisals. However, when actual and desired levels differed significantly, autonomy was less likely to be seen as a resource. Extremely high autonomy, especially when differing greatly from desired levels, tended to be appraised as a stressor. Variance was notably high for resource appraisal (R² = .30 for scheduling, R² = .24 for method autonomy), followed by challenge appraisal (R² = .08 for scheduling, R² = .07 for method autonomy).
Forschungs-