When things go wrong: The eVect of daily work hassles on eVort, exertion and negative mood

This paper discusses the eVect of occupational hassles on negative mood and eVort exertion. Expert ratings were used to measure the predictor variables, assignment complexity and hassles severity, whereas the dependent variables were measured with validated self-report scales. Using pooled-time series analysis on daily records of a sample of military jump masters (parachute trainers), it was shown that hassles severity predicted end-of-day mood, fatigue and subjective workload. This indicates that, despite their transient nature, daily hassles at work constitute a signiŽ cant factor whose eVect has been overlooked by available methods of occupational stress. Furthermore, the interaction between assignment complexity and hassles severity suggests that other variables, such as coping options for dealing with hassles, moderate the eVect of hassles on behavioural and emotional outcomes. Since this eVect can be explained by means of diVerent theoretical constructs (i.e. eVort exertion, cognitive appraisal and rate of progress) this poses a challenge for future research, both theoretical and applied.