Although previous studies have examined the effects of employee

job stress on their workplace behaviours, the underlying mechanisms

and boundary conditions in this relationship remain largely

elusive in Human Resource Development literature. Drawing on the

conservation of resources theory, this study examined the mediating

role of self-efficacy and the moderating role of leader narcissism

in the relationship between employee job stress and their psychological

withdrawal behaviours. Using two-wave data from 358

Nigerian employees from various organisations, we found that selfefficacy

mediated the relationship between job stress and psychological

withdrawal behaviours. Our study also found that the indirect

relationship between job stress and psychological withdrawal

behaviours was stronger when leader narcissism was high. We

discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our study for

human resources development practitioners.