The influence of self-efficacy on flight dispatchers’ stressor-strain relationships

Flight dispatchers’ role stressors and their consequential work-related strains and job satisfaction were investigated in this study, along with the moderating effect of self-efficacy on flight dispatchers’ role stressors and strains, and on role stressors and job satisfaction. Data were collected from 309 flight dispatchers from 2 Chinese airlines. Correlations and hierarchical regressions revealed that the role stressors were all related to flight dispatchers’ physical strain, psychological strain, and job satisfaction. The moderating effect of self-efficacy depends on the different role stressors and dependent variables being examined. Specifically, the moderating effect was found to be significant in the role conflict-psychological strain relationship, role conflict-job satisfaction relationship, and role overload-psychological strain relationship. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.