Female clerical workers' occupational stress: The role of person and social resources, negative affectivity, and stress appraisals

Relations among person (i.e., agentic traits) and social resources (i.e., social support), work-stress appraisals, and depression were examined with data from 2 longitudinal studies of female clerical workers (Study 1, N = 205; Study 2, N = 207). Main, moderating, and mediating effects of appraisals on the relationship between resources and change in depression were tested and partially replicated on an independent sample (Study 2), which controlled for negative affectivity (a pervasive tendency toward negative emotionality). Results were consistent with predictions that primary appraisals (i.e., threats to self-esteem) contribute to change in depression beyond the effects of person and social resources and negative affectivity. There was modest evidence that control appraisals moderate the effects of optimism and work support.