Moderated effects of Job Insecurity on Work Engagement and Distress

Lo Presti, A;NONNIS, MARCELLO

2012-01-01

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Abstract

Understanding the effects of job insecurity in order to prevent or counterbalance them is a current topic for scholars and practitioners alike. In particular, this study investigated the possible moderators of job insecurity, an analysis that has always been carried out in a fragmented and erratic way, in relation to outcomes such as work engagement and psychological distress. The survey was carried out on a sample of 536 Italian workers. Through multiple hierarchy regression used to verify the interaction be- tween insecurity and some potential moderators identified in the literature, it was found that marital status had a moderated effect on engagement while readiness and self-efficacy showed a moderated effect on psychological distress. According to the literature, neither occupational status nor union membership acted as moderators. Results were discussed in relation to the existing literature and from the practitioner’s point of view.