Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 42668

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology (Psychology Section), University of Florence, 50135 Florence, Italy
Interests: work and organizational psychology; healthy organizations; healthy workers and healthy business; well-being; psychology of personality and individual differences; decent work/decent lives; career management; career development; career counseling; psychology of sustainability and sustainable development; strength-based prevention perspectives
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Assistant Guest Editor
Department of Health Sciences, Psychology Section, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Interests: psychology of personality and individual differences; well-being; healthy organizations and healthy workers; clinical psychology; health psychology

E-Mail Website
Assistant Guest Editor
Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, Psychology Section, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy
Interests: psychology of personality and individual differences; well-being, healthy organizations and healthy workers; decent work and vulnerable workers; health psychology

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Assistant Guest Editor
Department of Geriatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 85-094 Toruń, Poland
Interests: health psychology; individual differences; well-being; older people
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The complexity of the current world of work has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its consequences on the working lives of individuals calls for greater attention to be paid to psychological health and well-being at work and the promotion of healthy organizations. This perspective lays emphasis on workers’ health and well-being as crucial components of an organization’s success. Personality and individual differences, as variables of individuals’ psychological health and well-being in the workplace, are critical for this purpose. Studying individual resources in this context could promote workers’ psychological health, well-being and performance, which is essential for building healthy organizations and businesses from a strength-based perspective. Following this framework, this Special Issue aims at building the literature on personality and individual differences in relation to psychological health and well-being at work, encompassing different behavioral disciplines. We therefore welcome theoretical and/or empirical contributions that broaden the knowledge base on personality and other individual resources  related to the psychological health and well-being of workers, as crucial components of a healthy organization and business. Research considering preventive perspectives (primary, secondary and tertiary), and strength-based approached focused on the enhancement of individuals’ positive strengths are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Annamaria Di Fabio
Dr. Alessio Gori
Dr. Andrea Svicher
Dr. Agnieszka Woźniewicz
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • personality
  • individual differences
  • psychological health at work
  • wellbeing
  • healthy organizations
  • healthy workers
  • healthy business
  • strength-based prevention perspectives
  • prevention, psychology of sustainability and sustainable development

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 638 KiB  
Article
Effect of Employee Experience on Organizational Commitment: Case of South Korea
by Minkyung Lee and Boyoung Kim
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(7), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13070521 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 16873
Abstract
This study’s purpose is to examine the effect of employee experience on job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and organizational commitment among corporate employees, with a specific focus on three factors: physical, technological, and cultural experiences. Given the growing importance of mental health management for [...] Read more.
This study’s purpose is to examine the effect of employee experience on job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and organizational commitment among corporate employees, with a specific focus on three factors: physical, technological, and cultural experiences. Given the growing importance of mental health management for employees, the study investigates the relationship between employee experience and mental toughness. A structural equation modeling research model was designed, and data were collected through a survey of 534 Korean employees. The analysis results show that cultural and physical experiences have a significant impact on organizational commitment, while technological experience does not have a significant impact. Furthermore, the study identifies that employee experience positively effects organizational commitment through job satisfaction and psychological well-being as mediators. It also reveals that the effect of employee experience on organizational commitment varies depending on the level of mental toughness. The findings suggest that managing employee experience can increase organizational commitment by improving job satisfaction and psychological well-being. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of individual mental toughness and its development. Hence this study highlights the importance of considering the physical, technological, and cultural experiences of employees in enhancing their well-being and commitment to the organization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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11 pages, 883 KiB  
Communication
Why Do Employees Show Pro-Environmental Behaviors? A Perspective of Environment Social Responsibility
by Shih-Chin Lee, Stanley Y. B. Huang, Ling Hu and Tai-Wei Chang
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13060463 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2191
Abstract
This research uses social identity theory to propose that environmental social responsibility perceptions influence green commitment, and then influence pro-environmental behaviors, which are moderated by institutional pressure. Data were collected from 100 employees of technology firms in Taiwan, and the results support all [...] Read more.
This research uses social identity theory to propose that environmental social responsibility perceptions influence green commitment, and then influence pro-environmental behaviors, which are moderated by institutional pressure. Data were collected from 100 employees of technology firms in Taiwan, and the results support all hypotheses. This research chose technology firms as empirical data because Taiwan’s technological level is known to the world, which can reduce sampling errors caused by the lack of environmental knowledge. Finally, this research not only advances the literature on sustainability issues in organizational management but also provides a paradigm to help firms implement pro-environmental behaviors to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable development goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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20 pages, 822 KiB  
Article
Increasing Couriers’ Job Satisfaction through Social-Sustainability Practices: Perceived Fairness and Psychological-Safety Perspectives
by Qiwei Pang, Mingjie Fang, Lu Wang, Kena Mi and Miao Su
Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13020125 - 2 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4040
Abstract
Due to the spike in online-retail demand during the pandemic, couriers confront increased workload and safety concerns, posing significant social-sustainability challenges for courier companies. This study explores the impact of social-sustainability practices on couriers’ job satisfaction in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. [...] Read more.
Due to the spike in online-retail demand during the pandemic, couriers confront increased workload and safety concerns, posing significant social-sustainability challenges for courier companies. This study explores the impact of social-sustainability practices on couriers’ job satisfaction in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We designed the research model from the theoretical lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, equity, and psychological-safety theories. We collected the views of 428 couriers from the Chinese market, where there is a developed e-commerce industry. The structural-equation-model analysis results found that social-sustainability practices such as working environment, working conditions, health and safety, education, and training positively affected the job satisfaction of couriers during the pandemic through the mediators (psychological safety and perceived fairness). These findings provide empirical recommendations for improving employees’ job satisfaction in courier companies during COVID-19 and addressing the social-sustainability issues of courier companies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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29 pages, 1620 KiB  
Article
Measuring Well-Being of Migrant Gig Workers: Exampled as Hangzhou City in China
by Tinggui Chen, Weijin Song, Junying Song, Yixuan Ren, Yuzhu Dong, Jianjun Yang and Shuyuan Zhang
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12100365 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4109
Abstract
The consistent innovations and applications of information technology drive the vigorous development of the gig economy, and generate gig workers such as food delivery workers and couriers, and make a great contribution to stabilizing employment and increasing income. Gig workers, mostly made up [...] Read more.
The consistent innovations and applications of information technology drive the vigorous development of the gig economy, and generate gig workers such as food delivery workers and couriers, and make a great contribution to stabilizing employment and increasing income. Gig workers, mostly made up of migrants, and suffer from job and status difficulties. Research on the well-being of migrant gig workers can reveal the practical problems and provide suggestions for narrowing the wealth gap to promote social fairness and justice. Taking Hangzhou city in China as an example, this paper explores the well-being of food delivery workers, couriers, and online car-hailing drivers as representatives of migrant gig workers. Firstly, the relevant data are acquired through the questionnaire. Secondly, the characteristics of this group are analyzed through descriptive analysis, namely: most of them are migrant workers aged between 20 and 39 with low occupation satisfaction due to insufficient social security coverage and limited well-being, despite relatively high income. Based on the analysis of differences in demographic variables and structural equation modeling, the factors affecting the well-being of migrant gig workers are studied, which mainly are occupation satisfaction, social interaction, and social security. The results show that occupation satisfaction is positively affected by family characteristics, social interaction, and social security. In addition, family characteristics and social security positively impact social interaction, but the former has no significant effect on well-being. Finally, this paper enriches the research on the well-being of specific migrant gig workers and gives policy suggestions for enhancing the well-being of migrant gig workers in Hangzhou city from the perspective of optimizing the mechanism, pilot construction, and platform provision. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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17 pages, 668 KiB  
Article
Employees’ Perception of HRM Practices and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: The Mediating Role of the Work–Family Interface
by Maria Luisa Giancaspro, Silvia De Simone and Amelia Manuti
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12090301 - 24 Aug 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3270
Abstract
The aim of the study was to explore if and to what extent a positive perception of Human Resource Management Practices could be related to Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and if the Work–Family Interface could act as a mediator of such relationship. A group [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to explore if and to what extent a positive perception of Human Resource Management Practices could be related to Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and if the Work–Family Interface could act as a mediator of such relationship. A group of 406 employees of an Italian sector of the Public Administration filled in a self-report questionnaire encompassing socio-professional information and the following psycho-social measures: Perception of Human Resource Management Scale, Work–Family Interface, and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors Scale. The results confirmed the importance of Human Resource Management Practices perceptions for positive Organizational Behaviors underlining the crucial role played by positive work-to-family and family-to-work spillover as mediators. The study reflected on the work–family relationships demonstrating the mediating role of positive work–family spillover in the relationships between perceived HR practices and organizational citizenship behaviors. The main limitations were related to the cross-sectional nature of the study and to the self-report measures used that raised concerns about possible common method bias. The findings showed implications for HR practices to plan actions and interventions aimed at supporting employees’ work–family balance and at encouraging organizational citizenship behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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12 pages, 797 KiB  
Article
The Protective Role of Mature Defense Mechanisms on Satisfaction with Life in the COVID-19 Era: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
by Alessio Gori, Eleonora Topino, Alessandro Musetti, Marco Giannini, Rosapia Lauro Grotto, Andrea Svicher and Annamaria Di Fabio
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(8), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080290 - 17 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2589
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced people’s lives, with non-negligible consequences for the perception of well-being. This study sought to examine the effect of anxiety, post-traumatic impairment, and mature defenses on life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thousand three hundred thirty-nine Italian individuals [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced people’s lives, with non-negligible consequences for the perception of well-being. This study sought to examine the effect of anxiety, post-traumatic impairment, and mature defenses on life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thousand three hundred thirty-nine Italian individuals (30% male; 70% female; Mage = 34.70; SD = 11.83) completed an online survey enclosing the Satisfaction with Life Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—Form X3, Impact of event scale—revised, and the Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire. To test the hypothesized relationship, data were analyzed by applying a moderated-mediation analysis, a regression-based approach. Results showed that the negative effect of anxiety on life satisfaction was partially mediated by post-traumatic impairment, with a significant moderation effect of mature defenses on the relationship between post-traumatic impairment and life satisfaction. Specifically, with higher levels of mature defenses, the effects of post-traumatic impairment on consequences of the COVID-19 emergency on well-being. Furthermore, the protective role of mature defenses in facing post-traumatic impairment was shown. Such data may have applicative implications in different contexts in a management perspective of the different pandemic phases, contributing to more effective positive strength-based preventive actions to also support positive healthy organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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9 pages, 545 KiB  
Article
The Number of Monthly Night Shift Days and Depression Were Associated with an Increased Risk of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Emergency Physicians in South Korea
by Song Yi Park, Hyung Min Lee and Jiyoung Kim
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(8), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080279 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1808
Abstract
This study aimed to report the prevalence and identify the factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among emergency physicians in South Korea. We analyzed the Korean Emergency Physicians Survey data from 15 January to 26 February 2021. EDS was evaluated using the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to report the prevalence and identify the factors associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among emergency physicians in South Korea. We analyzed the Korean Emergency Physicians Survey data from 15 January to 26 February 2021. EDS was evaluated using the Epworth sleepiness scale, and a score of 11 or more indicated the presence of EDS. We conducted univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to verify the associated factors. A total of 1307 participants responded to the survey, and the response rate was 61.3%. Nine hundred fifty-four participants were included in the study. Two hundred ninety-three participants were classified as the EDS group, and six hundred sixty-one were classified as the non-EDS group. The prevalence of EDS was 30.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 27.8–33.6%). Monthly night-shift days (odds ratio (OR) 1.106, 95% CI 1.028–1.191) and depression (OR 2.635, 95% CI 1.799–3.861) were significantly associated with an increased risk of EDS, and fair sleep quality (OR 0.560, 95% CI 0.318–0.985) was associated with a decreased risk of EDS. Almost one in three emergency physicians in South Korea suffer from daytime sleepiness. The number of monthly night-shift days and depression were associated with an increased risk of EDS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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13 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
Identifying Factors Influencing Productivity of Older Workers in Service Sector: A Case Study in Pilot Companies in Thailand
by Chonticha Asavanirandorn, Watchara Pechdin and Nguyen Thi Quynh Trang
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(8), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080268 - 4 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2880
Abstract
Productivity has posed issues for global countries in terms of promoting older employment due to an emergence of questions regarding production efficiency. Individual characteristics result in varying production efficiencies, which in turn provide different levels of productivity. Taking this concern into account, we [...] Read more.
Productivity has posed issues for global countries in terms of promoting older employment due to an emergence of questions regarding production efficiency. Individual characteristics result in varying production efficiencies, which in turn provide different levels of productivity. Taking this concern into account, we are here to examine the characteristics of older workers who provide high productivity in order to seek recommendations for fostering decent work for them. We utilized the dataset collected from the pilot service companies in Thailand who participated in a national initiative program for employing older people. A total of 204 older workers and their characters were then observed. Those characters were analyzed by the Generalized Ordered Logit Regression (gologit) model. Empirical findings indicate that allocating work that is related to communication and coordination to older workers would enhance odd ratio of their productivity by as much as 4.79 times compared to general tasks. Furthermore, employing older individuals on a part-time basis tends to generate higher-level productivity than full-time employment. We also found that gender and age differences have no significant effect on productivity in the service sector as people age, and factors related to types of employment, education, health, and financial status are also a precise determinant for the productivity of older workers. This would suggest that the work design for the older workers must be in line with the aforementioned determinants. In addition, the government initiatives utilizing key findings from this study to boost older workers’ productivity should give priority on tax incentives, promoting and advocating for employment equality, and vocationalization programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
10 pages, 433 KiB  
Article
Unwinding on the Weekend from Work-Related Stress: Moderating Effect of Weekday Psychological Stress on the Relationship between Increased Recovery Experience and Reduction of Psychological Stress on the Weekend
by Satoshi Horiuchi, Suguru Iwano, Shuntaro Aoki and Yuji Sakano
Behav. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12060163 - 25 May 2022
Viewed by 2248
Abstract
Recovery is described as a process that is in contrast to the process whereby the psychological stress response increases. Recovery experiences refer to specific experiences that promote recovery and represent psychological attributes including relaxation. This preliminary study tested the hypothesis that levels of [...] Read more.
Recovery is described as a process that is in contrast to the process whereby the psychological stress response increases. Recovery experiences refer to specific experiences that promote recovery and represent psychological attributes including relaxation. This preliminary study tested the hypothesis that levels of psychological stress before the weekend have a moderating effect on the relationship between an increased recovery experience during the weekend and a reduction of psychological stress from workdays to the weekend. Of 270 Japanese teachers who were invited to participate, 181 completed questionnaires on the psychological stress response before, on the psychological stress response and the recovery experience during the weekend. Data from 7 part-time teachers and 38 teachers who were not stressed at all before the weekend were excluded; therefore, data for 136 participants were ultimately analyzed. Results of hierarchal regression analysis indicated that increased relaxation was associated with an increased reduction in psychological stress response during the weekends in participants with high levels of psychological stress before the weekends. This moderating effect was not observed for other recovery experiences. Considering the psychological stress response is important for research on recovery experiences during weekends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personality, Individual Differences and Psychological Health at Work)
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