Demands, appraisal, coping and outcomes: Positive and negative aspects of occupational stress in veterinarians

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate relationships among cognitive appraisal of work demands, coping, positive and negative affect, and job satisfaction using structural equation modeling (SEM). Gender differences are also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 659 registered veterinarians respond to a postal survey investigating appraisal, coping, and outcomes in the context of work‐related stressors. Veterinarians are selected as the study group due to the high reported rates of stress within the profession.

Findings

The hypothesized model is a good fit to the data. Patterns of appraisal and coping are evident which meant that a potentially stressful work demand could result in positive rather than negative outcomes. The more a demand is seen as a challenge the more use is made of task‐focused coping and the less use is made of avoidance, with higher levels of positive affect and job satisfaction. In contrast, threat appraisals are associated with more avoidance, more negative affect, and reduced job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The paper employs a cross‐sectional self‐report design from which it is not possible to infer causal relationships among variables. The sample comprises veterinarians employed within New Zealand and it remains to be seen whether the findings can be replicated in other groups and in other countries and cultures. Longitudinal research is needed to establish how patterns of appraisal and coping develop over time and the concurrent and lagged effects of work demands on outcomes.

Practical implications

Differences exist in the ways in which individuals appraise and cope with work demands. Primary appraisal is an assessment of whether demands match the resources available to manage them. Appropriate management strategies may involve reducing demands, increasing resources, or increasing perceptions of resource availability and building effective coping strategies which are appropriate to the situation. Assessment of the causes and consequences of work demands is required and it is important to identify and build on aspects of work which are satisfying and rewarding.

Originality/value

Few models of work relate stress and well‐being to date have considered how work demands can give rise to both positive and negative outcomes. This paper has explored how processes of appraisal and coping can have a significant impact on how demands are experienced. A strength of the study is that differences are not due to differences in measures between gender groups as measurement invariance is established. Differences are, therefore, due to actual differences amongst groups on the hypothesized relationships based on theory.

Citation

Gardner, D. and Fletcher, R. (2009), "Demands, appraisal, coping and outcomes: Positive and negative aspects of occupational stress in veterinarians", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 268-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/19348830910992095