The role of cognitive motivation and self-regulation in coping with occupational demands

Abstract

Background. Previous research, especially in educational and clinical contexts, suggests cognitive motivation (COM) in combination with self-regulation (SR) to be associated with a broad range of positive mental health, coping, and well-being indicators. Surprisingly, the interplay of these variables has rarely been considered in the occupational context. We hypothesize COM and SR to be valuable resources for counteracting health-risking stressors, which can be explained conceptually by these traits’ link to hardiness. Method. To thoroughly investigate this assumption, we analyzed data from two cross-sectional studies in Germany: a sample of 1022 psychosomatic rehabilitation in-patients (67% female) and a healthy sample of 298 employees (57% female) from various occupational sectors. Bootstrapping was used in correlation analyses and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results. In both samples, COM and SR were associated with stronger health-promoting coping with occupational demands, especially regarding an active, meaningful, and persistent coping style (.31 ≤ r ≤ .57). Analyses via SEM found COM cross-sectionally predicting occupational coping via SR in both samples. Employee’s job satisfaction was predicted via SR and stress reactions. SR predicted job performance. Exploratory analyses revealed specific aspects of job satisfaction (higher standards, problem-solving) to be especially relevant to COM and SR. Conclusion. In two independent samples, both COM and SR proofed to be personal resources closely linked to adaptive coping with everyday stressors and demands of working life. Ideas for promoting these variables in patients and employees to regain or maintain working and coping abilities will be discussed with respect to Conservation of Resources Theory.