Roles of Internal Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy on Managing Job Stressors and Ryff's Six Scales of Psychological Well-Being

Roles of Internal Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy on Managing Job Stressors and Ryff’s Six Scales of Psychological Well-Being by William A. Howatt Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2012 Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles internal locus of control and self-The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles internal locus of control and selfefficacy play in moderating how employees manage their perceived work stress and positively engage in the behaviors that facilitate autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, and purpose in life. Investigators have documented the relationship between perceived workplace stress and strain and showed that how employees cope with perceived stress influences their psychological and physical health. However, there is less information available about the relationship between how employees cope with perceived workplace stress and engage in behaviors that facilitate their psychological well-being. A quasi-experimental methodology was used; male and female tire manufacturing production workers working in a shift work manufacturing environment were surveyed using a secure online server. Data collection tools included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C 4 subscales, the Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, and Ryff’s 6 Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Hypotheses were analyzed using moderated multiple regression analyses. Employees who operate from an internal locus of control and who demonstrate high levels of self-efficacy reported lower levels of perceived stress and higher levels of self-acceptance. The implications for social change provide organizational leaders with insight into the potential benefits and saving of both financial and human capital by screening and training employees to better understand how to evaluate and develop their abilities to operate from an internal locus of control, as well as how to improve their self-efficacy skills. Roles of Internal Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy on Managing Job Stressors and Ryff’s Six Scales of Psychological Well-Being by William A. Howatt Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University August 2012 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent on the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 1346 UMI 3517677 Copyright 2012 by ProQuest LLC. UMI Number: 3517677 Acknowledgments Dr. James Carroll, my chair, for the direction, patience, and encouragement he used to guide me through this quantitative dissertation process. Dr. Debra Wilson, my committee member, for her guidance and support. Al Kingsbury, for his years of editorial support and encouragement during my entire time at Walden University. He helped me transform ideas into words that others could read. My gratitude for Walden University’s support for students with disabilities. I obtained a great deal of support and encouragement from both Martha King, director of the Writing Center, and Carolyn Roney, director, disability services staff.