Date of Conferral

1-1-2011

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

James Carroll

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles internal locus of control and self-efficacy play in moderating how employees manage their perceived work stress and positively engage in the behaviors that facilitate autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, and purpose in life. Investigators have documented the relationship between perceived workplace stress and strain and showed that how employees cope with perceived stress influences their psychological and physical health. However, there is less information available about the relationship between how employees cope with perceived workplace stress and engage in behaviors that facilitate their psychological well-being. A quasi-experimental methodology was used; male and female tire manufacturing production workers working in a shift work manufacturing environment were surveyed using a secure online server. Data collection tools included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C 4 subscales, the Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, and Ryff's 6 Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Hypotheses were analyzed using moderated multiple regression analyses. Employees who operate from an internal locus of control and who demonstrate high levels of self-efficacy reported lower levels of perceived stress and higher levels of self-acceptance. The implications for social change provide organizational leaders with insight into the potential benefits and saving of both financial and human capital by screening and training employees to better understand how to evaluate and develop their abilities to operate from an internal locus of control, as well as how to improve their self-efficacy skills.

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