Examining the effects of negative affectivity on self- and supervisor ratings of job stressors: the role of stressor observability

Debus ME, Koenig CJ, Kleinmann M, Werner CS (2015)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Work and Stress Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles / Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

Book Volume: 29

Pages Range: 341-361

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2015.1075233

Abstract

In this study, we investigated job stressor ratings through Lazarus' transactional stress theory and the usefulness of supervisor ratings as an alternative to employee self-reports. Based on the finding that negative affectivity (NA) causes incumbents to over-report job stressors, we hypothesized that supervisors may also be affected by their NA when appraising an incumbent's job stressors. Building upon the literatures on judgement processes and social-cognitive information processing, we further hypothesized that stressor observability is an important boundary condition. Specifically, we hypothesized that the impact of NA on both self- and supervisor-reported job stressors should increase as stressor observability decreases. Moreover, we hypothesized that incumbent and supervisor ratings would converge less as stressor observability decreases. Data from 260 incumbent-supervisor dyads showed that stressor observability reduced the impact of supervisor NA on supervisor ratings (but not the impact of incumbent NA on incumbent stressor ratings). Further, as hypothesized, incumbent and supervisor ratings showed less convergence the less observable the stressor was. The results highlight the importance of personal and situational factors in the stressor appraisal process – an issue that advances both research and practice in the field of stressor ratings.

Authors with CRIS profile

Maike Debus

Involved external institutions

University of Zurich / Universität Zürich (UZH) CH Switzerland (CH) Universität des Saarlandes (UdS) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Debus, M.E., Koenig, C.J., Kleinmann, M., & Werner, C.S. (2015). Examining the effects of negative affectivity on self- and supervisor ratings of job stressors: the role of stressor observability. Work and Stress, 29(4), 341-361. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2015.1075233

MLA:

Debus, Maike E., et al. "Examining the effects of negative affectivity on self- and supervisor ratings of job stressors: the role of stressor observability." Work and Stress 29.4 (2015): 341-361.

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