Does occupational self-efficacy mediate the relationships between job insecurity and work-related learning? A latent growth modelling approach. Issue 3 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Hootegem, Anahí; Sverke, Magnus; De Witte, Hans
• Is Part Of: Work and stress. Volume 36:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Quantitative job insecurity -- qualitative job insecurity -- employee learning -- self-efficacy -- conservation of resources theory -- latent growth modelling; Job stress -- Periodicals; Job satisfaction -- Periodicals; Stress (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 158.7
• DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2021.1891585
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0267-8373

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigates whether job insecurity is related to employee learning (i.e. the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies/characteristics; KSAOs) and whether occupational self-efficacy functions as a mediating mechanism in this relationship. We used three-wave longitudinal data, with a time lag of six months, collected among Flemish employees ( N = 1708), and employed a latent growth curve modelling approach. The results provide support for a dynamic relationship between job insecurity and employee learning. More specifically, changes in employees' levels (i.e. the slope) of job insecurity were related to changes in occupational self-efficacy. Changes in self-efficacy, in turn, were related to changes in levels of newly acquired KSAOs, in such a way that occupational self-efficacy operated as a mediator between job insecurity and newly acquired KSAOs. These results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between job insecurity and work-related learning, and to the general understanding of the mechanisms linking job insecurity to outcomes.