Linking challenge and hindrance stress to safety performance: The moderating effect of core self-evaluation

The buffering effect of core self-evaluation (CSE) in stress research has received academic attention. However , most research in this area focused on its moderating effect on well-being. In the present study, we take a closer look at the moderating role of CSE in the relationship between challenge/hindrance stress and safety performance. Results indicated that challenge and hindrance stress were both negatively related to safety performance. More importantly, CSE acted as a buffer in the negative relationships between challenge stress and safety compliance and between hindrance stress and safety participation. Contrary to our prediction, the negative relationship between hindrance stress and safety participation was stronger for people higher on CSE. Based on our findings, we discuss the theoretical implications for personality and safety research. Recently there has been an emerging trend to examine the critical role of higher-order personality constructs in personality Among them is the construct of core self-evaluation (CSE). According to Judge et al. (1997), core self-evaluation refers to the fundamental evaluations that people hold about themselves. Although originally proposed to explain its pivotal influence on job satisfaction (Judge et al., 1997), CSE has been studied in a wide array of areas such as decision making (Di Fabio & Palazzeschi, 2012) and stress (Creed, Lehmann, & Hood, 2009). In the present study, we take a closer look at CSE in job stress research. CSE is the underlying trait of four personality traits: self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, emotional stability, and locus of control (Judge et al., 1997). To better capture the common core underlying these personality factors, Judge, Erez, Bono, and Thoresen (2003) developed a 12-item scale to directly measure the fundamental trait of CSE. Although some criticisms exist regarding the limitation of directly measuring CSE (Johnson, Rosen, & Levy, 2008), this approach has been useful in capturing the underlying trait among the four personality indicators (Judge et al., 2003) and predicting a wide arrange of outcomes (e. have similar moderating effects in the relationship between stressors and outcomes, directly assessing their shared underlying factor might prove to be equally, if not more, valuable in revealing its potential moderating effects in job stress research. The construct of CSE readily lends itself to stress research in that the fundamental appraisal of self might ''color'' how people appraise and respond to stress (Judge et al., 1997; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). Specifically, the main effect of CSE on stress has received consistent support …