An Examination of Hardiness and Neuroticism as Potential Moderators of Stress Outcomes

The perception of stress is believed to result in negative consequences as a result of complex interactions among a number of variables. This study of a random sample of 234 male highway patrol officers examined the relationship among stress measures (perception of stress, report of daily hassles, and items unique to police work) and the specific consequences of stress (burnout, physical symptoms, and job dissatisfaction). Our hypothesis was that hardiness and neuroticism would moderate the relationship between stress and its consequences and that the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) would emerge as a significant predictor of the strain experienced. The two moderator variables we examined exerted clearer main effects, rather than moderating influences, on the outcome measures. The authors found that the PSS was an important and significant predictor of stress-induced consequences.