Interpersonal Conflict and Perceived Work Stress: the Role of Negative Affectivity

This study examined the role of negative affectivity (NA) in the formation process of perceived work stress among workers employed in two Italian organizations. Psycho-physical strain, perceived conflict (with superiors and colleagues), and NA were detected through self-report, adapting the StrainFree Negative Affectivity Scale to the Italian context. Four alternative models, popular in the literature on work stress, were tested. Each hypothesizes a specific role for NA. The analyses conducted suggest that NA has both a direct effect on strain and an indirect one, through perceived conflict. From a theoretical point of view, the results show, therefore, a substantive role of NA in the formation of perceived work stress. From an application point of view, they point to the opportuneness of also adopting heteroevaluations or objective indicators of stress together with self-evaluations of stress.