Date of Award

5-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Zhiqing Zhou

Second Advisor

Erin Richard

Third Advisor

Heidi Edwards

Fourth Advisor

Mary Beth Kenkel

Abstract

The stressor-strain relationship has been a popular focal topic in organizational research. Workplace stressors have been found to relate to decreased well-being, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job performance and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), as well as increased counterproductive work behaviors and safety issues. This study investigated the relationships of proactive coping style with employee health, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, OCBs, and social support, as well as the mediating effects of workplace stressors and recovery experiences. Results indicated that the proactive coping style directly related to health, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, OCBs, social support and recovery experiences. Workplace stressors did not mediate any of the relationships between proactive coping style and employee outcomes; however, recovery experiences mediated most of the relationships between proactive coping style and employee outcomes, except for organizational commitment. Social support did not buffer these relationships. These findings suggest that the proactive coping style does predict individual and organizational wellbeing. Future research should consider further exploring training this coping style towards efforts in increasing healthy workplace environments.

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