Abstract
The present research was designed to investigate the relationships among perceived work stressors, coping strategies and psychological strain. To further the analysis of the stressor-coping-strain relationships, the hypothesized main effects, mediating and moderating roles of personality dimensions (i.e. Type A behaviour pattern, locus of control and self-esteem), socio-demographic characteristics (i.e. age, marital status, education, tenure, and income), and contextual variables (i.e. participation, supportive relationships and family-work interface) were examined. Literature review highlighted the paucity of researchers' concern with the production workers' stress and coping; the almost absence of stress and coping studies in the developing societies in general and Algeria in particular; and the lack of multivariate approach to the stressor-coping-strain relationships. Following the performance of a pilot study on a sample of 40 workers, the main study was designed and carried out in a glass-works in Algeria. The sample interviewed (using structured interviews) consisted of 110 full-time male production workers. Multivariate analysis of the data generally showed that: - Experience of work stressors originating from role conflict, task, pay, communications, career, and role overload was related to increased anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction and psychosomatic complaints (strain indices). - What makes most difference in the prediction of strain indices is not what people are (i.e. personality and socio-demographic characteristics), but rather, what they experience (i.e. perceived work stressors and contextual variables) and what they do (i.e. coping strategies). - Coping strategies (particularly "Withdrawal" and "Evaluation"), contextual variables, and personality variables (particularly. Type A behaviour and self-esteem) exert a mediating effect upon the work stressor-strain relationships, so that the aversive effect of experienced work stressors on strain is attenuated (e.g., by self-esteem and supportive relationships) or exacerbated (e.g., by withdrawal, Type A behaviour, and lack of participation). - The moderating role of coping strategies, contextual variables and personality was not supported. Socio-demographic variables were neither significant moderators nor mediators of the stressor-strain relationships. Results were discussed and implications examined.