Volume 19, Issue 3

Abstract

Stress or learning? Test of Karasek's growth and strain hypothesis among young workers in their first job

Stress or learning? Test of Karasek's growth and strain hypothesis among young workers in their first job

Hans De Witte, Elsy Verhofstadt & Eddy Omey, Gedrag & Organisatie, Volume 19, September 2006, nr. 3, pp. 232-250

Both hypotheses of Karasek's 'Job Demand Control' model are tested: high job demands (workload) and low job control (autonomy) are associated with strains (job dissatisfaction; strain hypothesis), whereas the combination of high job demands and high job control are associated with growth and development in the job (here: learning new skills in the first job; growth hypothesis). Both hypotheses are tested in two ways: (a) the mere combination of both job characteristics is associated with the expected outcomes, and (b) a statistical interaction between both job characteristics in predicting the outcomes is hypothesized. A large scale dataset of young workers in their first job is used to test all hypotheses. The results confirm both the strain and the growth hypothesis. We find evidence for a combined effect of both job characteristics, as well as for a statistical interaction between both variables. The lowest level of job satisfaction is found in the 'high strain' job, whereas the highest increase in skills is found in the 'active' job.

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/content/journals/10.5117/2006.019.003.003
2006-09-01
2024-03-28
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Keyword(s): arbeid,gezondheid,leergedrag,arbeidsmotivatie,stress; health; learning behavior; stress; work; work motivation

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