Occupational stress and negative affectivity in Maltese nurses : testing moderating influences

Abstract

Whereas some researchers conclude that negative affectivity is merely a nuisance variable and should be controlled for in future stress investigations, there is evidence that negative affectivity may occupy diverse roles, including a moderating role in which the level of NA may alter the nature of the relationship between stressors and strain. This study aims to sustain these findings by investigating such a model among a sample of 201 Maltese nurses. Variables including stressors, stress-related outcomes and negative affectivity were assessed, and data collected, by means of a questionnaire. Significant relationships were found between all three variable categories. In addition, moderator regression analyses revealed that negative affectivity could play the role of a 'vulnerability' factor in certain stressor-strain relationships, thus supporting the alternative-role theory of negative affectivity.