Better and Healthier Together? The Mediation Effect of Positive Psychological Capital on the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Adults

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the mediating effects of positive psychological capital (both as compound PsyCap and separate resources) in the relationship between social support and the two components of HRQoL: physical and mental health. Method: We conducted the current cross-sectional study on a sample of 319 participants (114 male; 205 female) aged 65 to 90. Results: The results indicated significant positive associations between social support, PsyCap, physical health and mental health. Compound PsyCap fully mediated the relationship between perceived social support and physical/mental health. Hope and optimism positively predicted physical health, while the same PsyCap resources, along with self-efficacy positively predicted mental health. Discussion: The retirees that perceived increased social support presented higher levels of PsyCap, which in turn increased their physical and mental health. Our results highlighted some new explanatory mechanisms regarding the relationships between variables that affect health-related quality of life among older adults.

Psychological capital and well-being: An opportunity for teachers' well-being? Scoping review of the scientific literature in psychology and educational sciences

In a context marked by teachers' shortage, prioritizing teachers' well-being emerges as one of the factors that can encourage them to stay in the profession. Well-being is a multidimensional concept and difficult to define and measure. Moreover, its link with Psychological Capital (PsyCap), a concept that includes personal psychological resources (hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism) (Luthans & Youssef, 2004), has received little attention in the educational sciences. The main objective of this paper is therefore to investigate the links between these two concepts from a theoretical point of view in psychology and educational sciences. For this purpose, the scoping review methodology (Tricco et al., 2018) is mobilized to identify research issues, methodological questions, and the various links between well-being and PsyCap. Based on a systematic review of 376 bibliographic references conducted in the main databases in psychology and educational sciences, 32 articles were selected analysed. The data extracted indicate that these concepts particularly affect teachers (42.11 % of subjects concerned, N = 42,750). In addition, all the sources selected report significant and positive statistical links between well-being and PsyCap. These results suggest possible avenues for research on teachers' well-being.

The moderating role of psychological capital in the relationship between school-related stress and outcomes of academic achievement and behavior problems among students with health impairments

Numerous researches have examined the relationship between school-related stress and outcomes of academic achievement and behavior problems; however, a very few studies were conducted to assess the moderating role of psychological capital in this relat.ionship, especially focusing on students with health impairments. The current study was carried out to investigate the association of school-related stress and psychological capital with academic achievement and behavior problems in students with health impairments, as well as the possible moderating influence of psychological capital in the school-related stress and outcomes relationships. The study involved 233 students with health impairments in Addis Ababa. Instruments used for the study include the Demographic Questionnaire, Perceived School-Related Stress Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and school record reviews. Descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling, and multi-group structural equation modeling were utilized to analyze the data. Results revealed that school-related stress was significantly and negatively associated with academic achievement and positively with behavior problems. Psychological capital was significantly and positively associated with academic achievement and negatively with behavior problems. Higher levels of psychological capital had a significant moderating role in the relationships between school-related stress and both outcomes of academic achievement and behavior problems. The finding suggests that PsyCap is a positive resource to counteract the detrimental impacts of school-related stress on the academic achievement and behavior problems of students with health impairments.

Improving Well-Being and Fostering Health-Oriented Leadership among Leaders in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): A Systematic Review

Leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often confronted with specific burdens, which frequently result in increased levels of stress. Leadership behaviour, in turn, has a significant impact on employees' health and performance. Using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO) method, we conducted a systematic literature search covering publications from 2002 to 2023 using PubMed, PsycInfo and Business Source Premier on stress-reducing and well-being-improving interventions for SME leaders. The Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool was used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies regarding selection bias, study design, confounders, blinding, data collection, withdrawal and drop-out. Of the 3150 identified publications, 6 were included after screening. The studies varied in content (cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT]-based, psychoeducation, and mixed interventions) and approach (individual- and organisation-centred). Not all of the examined interventions provided significant outcomes. However, CBT-based and individualised approaches showed a positive trend in reducing SME leaders' psychosocial stress and improving their well-being. Despite the limited data, it can be concluded that such interventions are beneficial for leaders and their specific needs. Future research should focus on tailored approaches, derived from well-founded theories and integrative interventions addressing SME leaders.

When there is no justice, we need an old HERO. The trickle-down effect of psychological capital: the moderating role of organizational justice and leaders' age

The objective of the study was to explore the impact of leaders' ages and followers' perceptions of organizational justice (POJ) on the transfer of psychological capital (PsyCap) from leaders to followers, particularly examining how employees' resilience is influenced by leaders' PsyCap. While some evidence exists regarding PsyCap's trickle-down effect, the specific circumstances triggering this phenomenon remain unclear. This study investigates the relationship between followers' and leaders' PsyCap, employing the Social Cognitive Theory and considering the moderating effects of leaders' age and POJ. The study focused on leader-follower dyads within a randomly selected sample of 406 businesses, encompassing 812 respondents. The survey investigation utilized the CAPI approach. The hypothesized model underwent testing through multilevel dyadic regression analysis, employing an actor-partner interdependence model. The findings support two moderators -employees' POJ and managers' age - and highlight the cross-over effect of PsyCap. Specifically, a stronger trickle-down link is observed when a leader is older and operating within a low POJ environment. Additionally, the study revealed a positive correlation between employees' PsyCap and POJ. The development of POJ enhances employees' PsyCap and resilience, while leaders' PsyCap may compensate for organizational POJ deficiencies. This study is among the first to explore PsyCap's moderators, specifically analyzing leaders' ages and POJ as factors influencing the cross-over effect of PsyCap. By identifying previously unrecognized moderators affecting the cross-over PsyCap effect, this research contributes significantly to the PsyCap literature.

Entrepreneurial well-being and performance: antecedents and mediators

Entrepreneurial well-being is tied to increasing firm performance because entrepreneurs possess additional resources to invest in their businesses. However, research integrating antecedents, specific mechanisms related to the emergence of entrepreneurial well-being (EWB), and performance is scarce. Furthermore, the collective impact of their roles as entrepreneurs and individuals outside the work context is yet to be investigated concerning venture performance. The present study addresses these issues by presenting and testing a comprehensive model employing entrepreneurs' psychological capital as an antecedent of EWB and, indirectly, performance. We investigate this relationship through a serial mediation mechanism enabled by work engagement and entrepreneurial satisfaction regarding entrepreneurs' work roles. Also, we employ work-life balance and mental health as mediators regarding their home roles. Drawing on data from 217 Romanian entrepreneurs, structural equation modeling analyses supported our model. PsyCap was a precursor of entrepreneurial satisfaction both directly and through work engagement. Also, PsyCap predicted entrepreneurs' mental health directly and through work-life balance. Furthermore, both EWB components - entrepreneurial satisfaction and mental health - were associated with business performance. Hence, our model provides valuable insights regarding the interplay between entrepreneurs' work and home roles and their relation to EWB and venture performance. It also provides the basis for future interventions that can psychologically prepare entrepreneurs to be successful in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Psychological Resilience-Based Multifactorial Framework of Expatriate Adjustment

Introduction

Expatriates are facing more stressors, such as cross-cultural adjustment, global political instability, family separation, health concern. The black swan events of the pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war have posed significant challenges in the current international environment. Adapting to an expatriate environment as soon as possible is critical to expatriate success. This study aims to examine the factors that affect expatriate adjustment through psychological resilience.

Methods

Guided by person-environment (p-e) fit theory, an expatriate adjustment framework based on psychological resilience is proposed, and 309 valid sample data are used for structural equation model (SEM) analysis.

Results

The results show that expatriate adjustment is a psychological process based on the development of resilience. Social support plays a buffering role in dealing with environmental deviations induced stressors. The person-environment transactional process is the most critical adjustment process.

Discussion

The development of expatriate adjustment is divided into four stages (shock, buffer, adjustment, mastery) consistent with resilience development. Project managers can take different expatriate management strategies from multiple aspects. Finally, this study proposes the U-curve hypothesis of expatriates' psychological resilience development aligned with the U-curve process of expatriate adjustment for future research.

Can Emotional Intelligence Increase the Positive Psychological Capital and Life Satisfaction of Chinese University Students?

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to dramatic changes in the learning environment and living conditions of college students, who face enormous psychological challenges in the ubiquitous AI environment. Modern student-management research has focused on developing mechanisms for enhancing life satisfaction, alleviating emotional anxiety, and improving self-confidence. This study aims to investigate the influence of participation in cultural and artistic activities on college students' life satisfaction. Through a questionnaire survey and data analysis of 708 college students, this study found a significant positive relationship between participation in cultural and artistic activities and college students' life satisfaction. Further mediation analysis showed that positive psychological capital played a mediating role between participation in cultural and artistic activities and life satisfaction. Additionally, emotional intelligence was found to play a moderating role in this relationship, and college students with higher emotional intelligence had a more significant effect on positive psychological capital in terms of participation in cultural and artistic activities. The results of this study herein provide a new understanding of life satisfaction research among college students and offer practical guidance for promoting college students' mental health and psychological well-being. This research also demonstrates the importance of participation in cultural and artistic activities and encourages college students to be active therein to enhance their psychological capital and improve life satisfaction. Furthermore, the cultivation and enhancement of emotional intelligence is emphasized as a key factor for college students to improve their psychological well-being through cultural and artistic activities.

Labor of love, or love of labor? Psychological capital's mitigating role in the relationship between workaholism and work stress

BACKGROUND

Workaholism is conceptualized as a compulsive need to work incessantly, and it is related to numerous detrimental organizational and individual consequences. For that reason, it is imperative that researchers uncover possible variables that can alleviate its potentially harmful effects.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the relationship between workaholism, psychological capital (PsyCap), physical health, and work stress. The potential mitigating role that PsyCap could play between workaholism and physical health, as well as work stress, was also examined.

METHODS

Data on workaholism, PsyCap, physical health, and work stress were collected from 343 full-time faculty and staff from a large Southeastern university.

RESULTS

Results showed workaholism negatively related to physical health and positively related to work stress. Additionally, PsyCap had a positive relationship with physical health and a negative relationship with work stress. Moreover, PsyCap moderated the relationship between workaholism and work stress, such that as PsyCap increased, the relationship between workaholism and work stress weakened.

CONCLUSIONS

PsyCap may be a fairly simple and cost-effective intervention for organizations to implement, as it can be learned through short training sessions. By incorporating PsyCap, organizations may be able to help mitigate levels of stress in their employees, specifically among those who suffer from workaholism.

Exploring psychological well-being in business and economics arena: A bibliometric analysis

Background

Recent events like the global pandemic and geopolitics leading to war bring to bear the evergreen importance of psychological well-being (PWB) among workers and how it can further influence business growth and performance. Furthermore, the complexity of today's job requirements has created enormous life pressures for individuals, negatively hurting their PWB.

Method

This article took the format of a literature review of existing research work by pursuing the keywords in the SCOPUS database to retrieve the articles published on PWB in the field of business and economics from 1978 to 2022. The data were analyzed to elaborate, interpret and graphically display the results, in particular, authors, sources, documents, and social structure of the existing bibliography. The Bibliometrix R package is used for robust analysis of retrieved data.

Results

The findings showed that the last decade saw a rise in scholarly work on PWB. However, in 2021, its sharp expansion stalled. It further revealed that academics from four countries had a significant role in accessing PWB in the business and economics fields, namely the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The reports also indicate themes such as mental health, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and depression are emerging themes, whereas niche themes include unemployment, quality of life, and job loss.

Conclusion

This study suggests these new areas be studied in contemporary literature to provide cogent room to improve policy decisions on PWB within the business world.

Introducing a new concept: Psychological capital of older people and its positive effect on mental health

Objective

This study aimed to explore the structure of psychological capital (PsyCap) and its positive effects on mental health among older people.

Methods

Study 1 used grounded theory to analyze the semi-structured interviewing data of 17 Chinese older people (60-96 years old) to develop a primary PsyCap questionnaire for older people. Study 2, respectively, applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with 198 Chinese older people (M = 69.2; SD = 6.685) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with 370 Chinese older people (M = 73.84; SD = 9.416) to test a seven-factor structure for PsyCap. Study 3 used 328 participants (M = 79.73; SD = 9.073) to examine the correlation between PsyCap and mental health.

Results

Study 1 identified that PsyCap of older people contains 'resilience,' 'self-efficacy,' 'optimism,' 'ease and content,' 'gratitude and dedication, 'wisdom,' and 'meaning in life' and generated a primary seven-factor questionnaire. Study 2 proved the overall and internal structure reliability of PsyCap were good (Cronbach's alphas ranged 0.809 ~ 0.935), and the seven-factor measurement model fitted the data well (χ ²/df = 2.07, RMSEA = 0.05, RMR = 0.05, CFI = 0.95, IFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.94, NFI = 0.91). The PsyCap scale was also proved to an excellent convergent validity, discriminant validity, calibration validity, and measurement invariance across different groups. Study 3 found that PsyCap and its seven factors significantly correlated with depression (r = -0.419 ~ -0.163, p < 0.01) after controlling the demographic variables.

Conclusion

These findings provide a reliable and valid assessment for quantitative empirical research of PsyCap among older people and show significant impacts on mental health among older people, which offers new insight into improving mental health from the perspective of positive psychology.

Spiritual leadership among nursing educators: a correlational cross-sectional study with psychological capital

BACKGROUND

Spiritual leadership is the most positive leadership style accepted by positive organizational behavior scholars that contributes to psychological capital. Spiritual leadership could be a critical organizational resource for followers. The study aims to examine the levels of spiritual leadership and psychological capital among nursing educators and determine the relationship between spiritual leadership and psychological capital among nurse educators.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was applied using two tools: spiritual leadership and psychological capital scales. Over 3 months, data were collected from 213 nursing educators.

RESULTS

The spiritual leadership level is moderate to high (49.8 and 38.5%). The psychological capital level is high (63.4%). The association between spiritual leadership and psychological capital is a strong, positive, and highly significant correlation (R-value = 0.63, P = 0.001). The regression analysis predicted that male participants were expected to have more spiritual leadership and psychological capital than females.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded and validated how important it is to develop and practice spiritual leadership to foster followers' psychological capital.

IMPLICATIONS OF NURSING MANAGEMENT

as nursing leaders must have spiritual competencies to promote workplace spirituality on the daily agenda as a foundational area in management.

The Role of the Leader in Fostering Employee Resilient Behaviors: A Multisource, Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to uncover the relationship between leadership behaviors (servant and resilient), leaders' psychological capital, and employee resilient behaviors over time, and we assess whether employee resilient behaviors and employee psychological capital mediate this relationship.

METHODS

Based on dyadic 3-wave data collected from 111 unique leader-follower pairs, we use time-lagged path analysis to test our hypotheses.

RESULTS

Servant leadership and leaders' psychological capital may strengthen employees' psychological capital, which in turn may foster resilient behaviors in employees over time. Resilient leadership was, however, negatively related to employee psychological capital on the short term but positively related to employee resilient behaviors over a 6-week time window.

CONCLUSIONS

Enacting servant leadership and resilient behavior and through their psychological capital leaders can foster resilient behaviors in employees.

Knowledge development visualization and mapping path of the psychological capital research

With the respect to the key factors, namely the psychological state of individuals and organizations, psychological capital (PsyCap) is widely used in various fields, such as management decisions and organizational behavior. To fully show the related studies and their knowledge development and mapping path, in this paper, we examine 2,786 papers about the PsyCap related research from 1970 to 2021. Based on the bibliometric analysis and main path demonstration (the tools are Cite-Space and Pajke, respectively), we derive some conclusions as follows: (1) the publication number about the PsyCap study is growing rapidly and it is a highly cross-cutting research topic. (2) The main authors come from Australia, the United States, and China, and also are the core researchers. (3) Refinement and measurement in the PsyCap study are constant and hot topics. (4) Stress, performance and well-being issues among students, health care workers and corporate employees are core research themes, and team organization, creativity, innovation, and COVID-19 are hot topics in this field. The bibliometric analysis are quantitatively analyzed to provide scholars with a more comprehensive insight into PsyCap research. The main path demonstration helps scholars to understand the main lines and key nodes of development in the field of psychological capital.

Wellbeing during a pandemic: An empirical research examining autonomy, work-family conflict and informational support among SME employees

Individuals working in different industries were forced to change their work environments to their homes and quickly cope with technical and social changes not experienced before the occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic. This led to blurred boundaries between work and family roles, diminishing performance and wellbeing. Within the scope of the Research Topic “Workplace effects of COVID-19 on employees,” this research emphasizes on the positive impact of job autonomy provided by employers in reducing work-family conflicts. Moreover, the effect of work-family conflict on employees’ performance and wellbeing is analyzed. Furthermore, informational support is examined regarding its moderating effect to mitigate work-family conflicts and enhance wellbeing. A survey was administered among employees of small-medium enterprises in Lebanon, through purposive and convenience sampling with 198 participants. The data was analyzed using PLS-SEM, and the results show that job autonomy reduces work-family conflict. This in turn improves performance and wellbeing as individuals have more control on their tasks. Furthermore, informational support provided to the employees serves as a buffer between work-family conflict and wellbeing. These results can be beneficial for managers of small and medium enterprises, seeking to enhance the performance and wellbeing of their employees in the era of the pandemic. Similarly, scholars can benefit from theoretical premises of current study and the potential pathways for future analyses.

Quality of life and emergency preparedness of MHO staff: role of psychological capital and perceived organizational support

PURPOSE

Enhancing the initiative and enthusiasm of emergency preparedness behaviors among Medical and Health Organization (MHO) staff is an effective measure to prevent and reduce losses from emergencies. In this study, emergency preparedness behavioral intentions were divided into noncooperative behavioral intentions (EPNCBI) and cooperative behavioral intentions (EPCBI) to discuss the impact brought by quality of life (QoL). The mediating effects of psychological capital (PsyCap) and perceived organizational support (POS) were also considered.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

A web-based questionnaire was used for MHO staff in China, and a structural equation analysis of the data collected from 243 participants was conducted to test the hypotheses.

FINDINGS

The empirical results reveal that: (1) QoL had a positive effect on EPNCBI, PsyCap and POS; (2) PsyCap had a positive effect on EPNCBI and EPCBI; (3) POS had a positive effect on PsyCap and EPCBI; (4) PsyCap mediated the relationship between QoL and EPNCBI, and the relationship between POS and EPNCBI; (5) PsyCap and POS mediated the relationship between QoL and EPCBI.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Improving MHO staff's QoL is an effective way to enhance positive behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, these findings could provide managers with valuable insight focusing their limited resources on enhancing the emergency preparedness of MHO staff by reinforcing the level of PsyCap and POS.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

This study provides important updated considerations for the application of positive psychology in the field of emergency preparedness.

Associations between Leisure Preferences, Mindfulness, Psychological Capital, and Life Satisfaction

This study intended to explore which leisure preferences contribute to mindfulness, psychological capital, and life satisfaction and assess whether mindfulness, psychological capital, and life satisfaction are associated with different leisure preferences. This study applied the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the instrument to evaluate the prevalence of leisure preferences. A sample consisted of 586 participants, 104 males and 478 females. The mean age of participants was 42.06, SD = 13.29. The results show that respondents who did not spend free time watching television scored higher on life satisfaction, mindfulness, and psychological capital. Participants who preferred attending events scored higher on life satisfaction and psychological capital. Participants who preferred spending time with family as a leisure preference scored significantly higher on life satisfaction, mindfulness, and psychological capital, including PsyCap overall, PsyCap work, PsyCap relationship, and PsyCap health. The findings also reveal that time spent with family is significantly associated with life satisfaction. Besides, males’ life satisfaction was significantly associated with time spent in nature, while females’ satisfaction was associated with spending time with family and participating in events. Males’ mindfulness was significantly associated with book reading, and females’ mindfulness was associated with not watching television. Males’ psychological capital was significantly associated with spending time with family and book reading, and females’ psychological capital was associated with not watching television but spending time with family, participating in events, and spending time in nature. The findings also showed that mindfulness mediated the link between watching television and life satisfaction, and psychological capital mediated links between spending time with family, participating in events, and life satisfaction. The findings demonstrate that life satisfaction is also significantly associated with spending time with family as a leisure preference. This study also revealed a significant negative association between age and spending time with friends or family, evidencing the possible loneliness of elderly respondents. Due to limitations of this study, including sample size and characteristics, cultural context, and research design, the research findings would preferably be regarded thoughtfully.

“I Like It like That”: A Study on the Relationship between Psychological Capital, Work Engagement and Extra-Role Behavior

Starting from the Positive Organizational Behavior movement, several studies showed that some personal resources and some contextual features within the working context might encourage individuals and groups in thriving, thus providing a concrete competitive advantage for organizations. Among the individual factors, psychological capital (PsyCap) received a special interest because it was proved to promote positive work attitudes and behaviors. The present study aimed to investigate the positive effect of PsyCap on extra-role behaviors considering the mediating role of work engagement. A mediational hypothesis was tested via SEM on 1219 Italian employees, balanced for gender. Results suggested that work engagement partially mediated the positive relationship between PsyCap and extra-role behaviors. The present study shed a light on the psychological mechanisms according to which PsyCap positively affects extra-role behaviors. In line with the Positive Organizational Behavior Movement Theory, personal resources, i.e., PsyCap, tend to improve work engagement that, in turn, tends to promote positive behaviors at work. Finally, the present study discussed results especially in terms of practical implications in order to promote employees’ PsyCap in organizational setting.

The Work Gratitude Scale: Development and Evaluation of a Multidimensional Measure

This study explores gratitude as a multidimensional and work-specific construct. Utilizing a sample of 625 employees from a variety of positions in a medium-sized school district in the United States, we developed and evaluated a new measure, namely the Work Gratitude Scale (WGS), which encompasses recognized conative (intentional), cognitive, affective, and social aspects of gratitude. A systematic, six-phased approach through structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore and confirm the factorial structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the WGS. The results supported a 10-item measure with three dimensions: "grateful appraisals" (three items), "gratitude toward others" (four items), and "intentional attitude of gratitude" (three items). Thereafter, first-order, second-order, and bifactor confirmatory models were estimated and compared. Work gratitude was found to be best described by a second-order construct with three underlying first-order dimensions. Measurement invariance was supported in relation to gender. Concurrent validity was supported in relation to two existing dispositional gratitude scales, namely the Gratitude Questionnaire and the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale (GRAT). Convergent validity was supported in relation to the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire. Discriminant validity was supported in relation to various demographic factors such as age, gender, occupation, and tenure. The findings support the WGS as a multidimensional measure that can be used in practice to measure overall work-related gratitude and to track the effectiveness of gratitude-related workplace interventions.

Positive Organizational Practices, Life Satisfaction, and Psychological Capital in the Public and Private Sectors

Public and private sector employees confronted stressful life circumstances that affected the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, new knowledge on possible psychological and organizational resources is needed. This study aimed to explore positive organizational practices, psychological capital, and life satisfaction of employees in the public and private sectors. The survey applied the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire—PCQ-24, validated in the Lithuanian population (the Lith-PCQ-21), and the Positive Organizational Practices Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 582 employees, including 443 public sector and 139 private sector employees. The respondents’ mean age was 42.0981 years (SD = 13.23083). The CFA results confirmed the six-factor structure of positive organizational practices, χ2 = 270,884.785; Df = 406; CFI = 0.996; TLI = 0.996; NFI = 0.995; RMSEA = 0.074 [0.070–0.078]; SRMR = 0.043, the four-factor structure of psychological capital, χ2 = 32,780.109; Df = 190; CFI = 0.983; TLI = 0.980; NFI = 0.978; RMSEA = 0.082 [0.076–0.088]; SRMR = 0.067, and one factor structure of life satisfaction, χ2 = 10,588.246; Df = 10; CFI = 0.999; TLI = 0.999; NFI = 0.999; RMSEA = 0.022 [0.000–0.066]; SRMR = 0.014. The findings revealed that private sector employees demonstrated higher scores of dignity, support, care, forgiveness, and overall positive organizational practices than public sector employees. Private sector employees demonstrated higher optimism scores than public sector employees, and public sector employees demonstrated higher self-efficacy scores than private sector employees. Male employees demonstrated significantly higher scores on dignity, meaning, and forgiveness than females. Significant positive correlations were found between age and resilience, care and age, care and number of working years, care and number of working years in the current organization. Psychological capital mediated the link between positive organizational practices and life satisfaction. Positive organizational practices were linked to life satisfaction and psychological capital in both employees’ groups, but the features of links were distinctive in the public and private sectors. These results signify the importance of positive organizational practices and psychological capital for the life satisfaction of employees.

Psychological capital development effectiveness of face-to-face, online, and Micro-learning interventions

There is growing empirical support for the benefits of developing psychological capital (PsyCap), and the effectiveness of PsyCap interventions (PCIs) in the workplace. However, to-date, PCI delivery modes have not been compared. The first study in this article compares a face-to-face to an online PCI. The second study compares an online PCI to a micro-learning PCI utilizing a mobile application. Results from 228 participants assessed three times (before, immediately after, and six weeks after PCI completion) support the effectiveness and comparability of the three delivery modes, but also highlight notable advantages for online and micro-learning.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

Positive personality resources have demonstrated the ability to positively impact health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the psychometric properties of the original Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

A sample of 114 individuals with PD completed the PCQ-24, and via a latent factor modeling framework exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties in people with PD.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that both the efficacy and hope scales were reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87 and 0.86, respectively) and had statistically acceptable validity with strong factor loadings all above the practical threshold of 0.60. The resilience and optimism scales were also reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.78 and 0.73, respectively) but had only moderately acceptable validity in part due to three reverse-scored items (i.e., No. 13, 20, & 23) with weak factor loadings of 0.26, 0.46, and 0.50, respectively. After excluding these at-risk items, the overall factor loadings for resilience and optimism were significantly improved at the acceptable above 0.60. The CFA results confirm a statistically acceptable model fit for the modified version (only 21-items) of the PCQ in the PD sample.

CONCLUSION

Both EFA and CFA analyses provide statistical evidence supporting the modified PCQ version and demonstrate better test validity and reliability in the PD population. The refined PCQ form is both effectively shorter and psychometrically superior to the original and has promise in investigating health outcomes in people with PD.

The relationship between the psychological capital of male individuals with drug abuse and relapse tendency: A moderated mediation model

This study aims to explore the mechanism of psychological capital's influence on relapse tendency of drug addicts under the COVID-19, and construct a moderated mediation model. 977 individuals with drug addiction who come from a mandatory drug rehabilitation center in China completed the Chinese versions of Psychological capital Questionnaire, the Relapse Tendency Questionnaire,the Coping Style Questionnarie and the Life History Strategy Scale.The results showed that(1) there was a significant negative correlation between psychological capital and relapse tendency;(2)positive coping style mediated the relationship between psychological capital and relapse tendency;(3) life history strategy is an important moderator between psychological capital and positive coping style.These findings help us to better understand the impact of psychological capital and positive coping style on relapse tendency.

Childhood Socioeconomic Position, Adult Educational Attainment and Health Behaviors: The Role of Psychological Capital and Health Literacy

Socioeconomic circumstances during childhood and adulthood are known to negatively affect health promoting behaviors. On the other hand, psychological capital (PsyCap) and health literacy are positively associated with these lifestyle behaviors. We, therefore, reasoned that PsyCap and health literacy might “buffer” the negative influences of socioeconomic circumstances on health-promoting behaviors. Method: We measured subjective childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and adult educational attainment (as a proxy for adult socioeconomic circumstances), health literacy, PsyCap, and health behaviors (fruits and vegetables consumption, exercise, and sweets and cookies consumption) in a sample of N = 150 individuals (mean age 34.98 years, 66.7% female). Results: Bootstrapped mediation analyses including PsyCap and health literacy as parallel mediators revealed that: (I) The relationship between childhood SEP and (a) fruits and vegetables consumption and (b) exercise was mediated by PsyCap, and (II) the relationship between adult educational attainment and (a) fruits and vegetables consumption and (b) exercise was mediated by PsyCap and health literacy. We found no significant effects for consumption of sweets and cookies. Conclusion: These results suggest that larger studies are warranted that confirm the potential of PsyCap and health literacy in mitigating the negative effects of lower SEP on health behaviors and health outcomes.

Fostering innovative behavior in health organizations: a PLS-SEM analysis of Norwegian hospital employees

Background

Health organization research is experiencing a strong refocus on employees’ individual innovative behavior (IIB), revealing that many of the influential factors at work remain uncertain. Hence, this study empirically examines fostering of hospital employees’ IIB by focusing on direct and indirect relationships of organizational culture (here labeled internal market-oriented culture, IMOC), psychological capital (PsyCap), and organizational commitment (OC).

Methods

The study focused on a sample of 1008 hospital employees, using a partial least squares–structural equation modeling method to analyze and test the relationships hypothesized in this study. A multigroup comparison was performed to test the heterogeneity of personal characteristics. The indirect relationships of PsyCap were tested using mediator analyses.

Results

Our results reveal that IMOC has a positive and significant correlation to employees’ PsyCap and IIB. PsyCap is directly related to IIB and indirectly related to IMOC and IIB. Furthermore, the study found that IIB is related to OC.

Conclusions

This study extends the current debate on how IIB is fostered at work by examining PsyCap and IMOC as antecedents of IIB. The study has added to the IIB research area by examining the role of IIB on OC. The study is among the first attempts in its category to contribute to health organizations and managers by empirically examining the role of IMOC on employees’ PsyCap and IIB—and, in turn, their OC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06505-1.

The relationship between psychological capital and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: A longitudinal mediation model

The new Coronavirus has impacted people's lifestyles, stress, and well-being. Thus, they need personal positive resources to help them during challenging circumstances. With this longitudinal study on 290 participants, we analyzed the relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap), measured at the beginning of the lockdown period and some indicators of mental health (depression, anxiety, satisfaction with life) measured after 2 months. Moreover, we examined whether stress (at Time 2) mediates the relationships. Following structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses, the results show that PsyCap has a significant positive effect on satisfaction with life and significant negative effects on depression and anxiety. Stress mediated all the relationships.

Psychometric Properties of Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) in the Lithuanian Population

This study aimed to explore psychometric properties of satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) and psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ-24) in the Lithuanian representative sample (n = 2003, M = 50.67, SD = 17.46). It was significant to validate instruments concerning the fact that Lithuanians' life satisfaction surveys demonstrated divergent results depending on the assessment tools they used. This study applied the SWLS, created by Diener et al. (1985), and the PCQ-24, created by Luthans et al. (2007). The findings demonstrated the internal consistency of the SWLS instrument, evidencing it as an adequate measure to evaluate satisfaction with life (α = 0.893; TLI = 0.988; NFI = 0.997; RMSEA = 0.059 [0.033-0.088]; CFI = 0.998; SRMR = 0.0077; AVE = 0.764; CR = 0.886). The Lith-PCQ-21 analysis demonstrated the internal consistency of the instrument (α = 0.957) and good fit of the factorial structure (χ2 = 2305.383; DF = 185; TLI = 0.915; NFI = 0.920; RMSEA = 0.077 [0.075-0.080]; CFI = 0.925; SRMR = 0.0450; AVE = 0.814; CR = 0.946), evidencing the instrument as an adequate measure to evaluate psychological capital. This research confirmed that both instruments (SWLS and Lith-PCQ-21) not only have an acceptable validity, including construct validity, but they are also interrelated (χ2 = 3088.762; DF = 294; TLI = 0.913; NFI = 0.914; RMSEA = 0.070 [0.068-0.073]; CFI = 0.922; SRMR = 0.0469), and can be considered appropriate for monitoring life satisfaction and psychological capital of the Lithuanian population.

Measuring psychological capital: Revision of the Compound Psychological Capital Scale (CPC-12)

This article provides information about the psychometric limitations of the original Compound Psychological Capital Scale (CPC-12) and suggests a revised version CPC-12R, a free-to-use measure of Psychological Capital. The investigation consisted of three studies: two of these identified psychometric limitations of the original scale, and the third presented the revised version of the scale. The first study did not confirm the hypothesized four-factor structure of the CPC-12 on a sample of Czech teachers (n = 282) and found psychometric limitations in the resilience subscale. The second study identified the same problem using secondary analyses of the original data from two samples of German employees (n = 202 and 321 respectively). The third study proposed a revised version of the scale with new items for resilience, and provided support for reliability and factorial validity of the new CPC-12R on a sample of Czech employees (n = 333). CPC-12R demonstrated a better fit to the theoretically supported model of Psychological Capital than CPC-12, and further displays adequate psychometric properties to be recommended for application in both research and practice.

Self-reported health-related experiences, psychological capital, and psychological wellbeing in Lithuanian adults sample

The purpose of this research was to examine psychological wellbeing and psychological capital in groups of subjectively healthy and unhealthy individuals and identify significant associations. We have analyzed the results of a Lithuanian representative sample of adults (n = 1001). Results showed that adult respondents who reported the absence of cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, vision disorders, physical or mental disability, and substance abuse demonstrated significantly higher scores for flourishing, life satisfaction, psychological capital, self-efficacy, hope, and resilience. The model on associations between the number of reported diseases, psychological capital, and wellbeing in the representative sample of adults (χ² = 110.786, df = 16; CFI = .981; RMSEA = .077; NFI = 0.978; TLI = 0.968) indicated that a higher number of diseases (per person) predicts a weakening effect on psychological capital, while psychological capital predicts psychological wellbeing.

Predicting employee engagement with micro-level corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the public accounting firms

Purpose

This research aims to examines the impact of micro-level corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices on employee engagement within the public accounting firm setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a quantitative approach with a survey instrument as the data collection tool. A total of 269 complete responses were collected from employees working in the public accounting firms. Micro-level CSR practices were analysed with a hierarchical component model (HCM) in partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the influence of such practices on employee engagement. A predictive performance metric was applied to assess the out-of-sample prediction.

Findings

This study uncovers a positive and significant relationship between micro-level CSR practices and employee engagement. Furthermore, the PLSpredict results indicate that the current model possesses high predictive power with all indicators in the PLS-SEM analysis demonstrating lower root mean squared error (RMSE) values compared to the naïve linear regression model benchmark.

Research limitations/implications

While the methods applied in this analysis are at the frontier of CSR research, the present study has not explored the heterogeneity amongst groups of respondents and size of accounting firms. Sampling weight adjustment for the purposes of representativeness was not used in the current research. These could be the subject of future work in this area.

Practical implications

These research findings shed light on the positive manifestation effect of micro-level CSR practices at firm level as well as individual level. Through micro-level CSR practices, firms can reap the benefits of enhanced employee engagement, which leads to productive workforce while also facilitating increased employees’ intrinsic job satisfaction.

Social implications

Micro-level CSR practices address the needs of the millennium workforce, whereby employees are no longer solely focussed on pay checks as their compensation. Employees are seeking out employers whose CSR practices appeal to their social conscience. Micro-level CSR practices meet the needs of the contemporary workforce yet enable companies to attract and retain skilled employees.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is attributed to the vigorous statistical analysis by the use of HCMs and PLSpredict in PLS-SEM context for the assessment of predictive performance. Also, micro-level CSR practices are conceptualised in HCM for parsimonious purpose.

Impact of psychological capital (PsyCap) on affective commitment: mediating role of affective well-being

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of affective well-being (AWB) in the relationship between psychological capital (PsyCap) and affective commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample included 226 employees from diverse Portuguese organizations. Based on a survey, respondents reported their perceptions of own PsyCap, AWB and affective commitment to their organization.

Findings

Results from structural equation modeling suggested presence of mediation by AWB in the relationship between PsyCap and affective commitment.

Practical implications

Managers are encouraged to gain from this finding by emphasizing more on the emotional health of individuals to increase their attachment with the company.

Originality/value

Though there are several studies indicating the positive consequences of PsyCap on employees, studies on how PsyCap affects affective commitment through AWB is scarce. These results advance the broaden-and-build theory by suggesting that the relationship between PsyCap and affective commitment is much more complex.

Using psychological capital at organizational levels of study

Purpose

Since the term's introduction two decades ago, “psychological capital” has been described as an intangible strategic organizational resource. However, there remains a dearth of research regarding its application, especially in the macro-management fields. This paper addresses this gap by elevating the individual-level psychological capital (ILPC) concept to an equivalent organizational-level psychological capital (OLPC) model with appropriate methodological considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

The elevation of ILPC to OLPC is conducted using referent shift approach. Then, the proposed OLPC model is tested and validated using the partial least-squares structural equation modeling analysis technique.

Findings

Testing the OLPC model adequately validated the basic requirements of reliability, validity, multicollinearity and redundancy analysis. To ensure the practical use of the proposed model, a simulation study was also conducted, and the results confirmed the strength of ILPC being elevated to a model of OLPC.

Research limitations/implications

The findings imply a better understanding of psychological capital from a multilevel perspective and present cross-level opportunities to enrich the scholarly corpus. The current paper also provides an insight into psychological capital management efficiency at all organizational levels so that the greatest benefits can be obtained.

Originality/value

This paper shows, for the first time, the possibility of borrowing ILPC concepts to help enact OLPC in organizations by means of a survey study. This paves the way for further investigation into the use of psychological capital at strategic and other macromanagement levels. Finally, future studies are encouraged to triangulate and strengthen the main arguments presented here.

Explaining socioeconomic inequalities in self-reported health outcomes: The mediating role of perceived life stress, financial self-reliance, psychological capital, and time perspective orientations

Objective

The main aim of the current study was to investigate what role perceived life stress, psychological capital (PsyCap), financial self-reliance and time perspective orientations play in explaining socioeconomic health inequalities, specifically self-perceived health and self-reported physical health conditions.

Methods

Individuals (total n = 600) aged 16+ years from a general Dutch population sample (LISS panel) completed an online questionnaire measuring three different SEP indicators (highest achieved educational level, personal monthly disposable income and being in paid employment), perceived life stress, PsyCap, financial self-reliance, time perspective, self-perceived health, and self-reported physical health conditions. Structural equation modelling using a cross-sectional design was used to test the mediation paths from SEP indicators to self-perceived health and self-reported physical health conditions through perceived life stress, PsyCap, financial self-reliance and time perspective orientations.

Results

Highest achieved educational level and being in paid employment showed to play a role in the social stratification within self-reported and self-perceived health outcomes, whereas this was not found for personal monthly disposable income. The association between a lower highest achieved educational level and lower self-perceived health was mediated by lower PsyCap and higher perceived life stress levels. The association between a lower highest achieved educational level and higher levels of self-reported physical health conditions was mediated by less financial self-reliance and higher perceived life stress levels. Although no mediating role was found for time perspective orientations in the association between the measured SEP indicators and health outcomes, negative time perspective orientations were associated with either self-perceived health or self-reported physical health conditions.

Conclusions

reserves (PsyCap and financial self-reliance) and perceived life stress seem to play a larger role in explaining the health gradient in achieved educational level than time perspective orientations. Prevention efforts trying to reduce the SEP-health gradient should focus on a) increasing reserves and lowering perceived life stress levels for individuals with a low achieved educational level, and b) reducing unemployment and narrowing opportunity gaps in education for people with a low SEP.

Fake it or make it: employee well-being in emotional work settings

Purpose

The objective of the present study is to measure the well-being of employees who are engaged in frontline roles and actively engrossed in frequent regulation and management of emotions while performing interpersonal interactions. The study has conceptualised the comprehensive model to measure employee well-being with three work-related dimensions, namely work engagement, burnout and job satisfaction in emotional work settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has been conducted on employees of the civil aviation industry in North India working on various frontline profiles. Data have been collected from 600 employees through a pretested questionnaire, and structural equation modelling (SEM) has been performed to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The findings of the study have revealed that all three dimensions, namely work engagement, burnout and job satisfaction are statistically significant measures of employee well-being in emotional work settings. Also, the study has determined that employees are highly satisfied and engaged at work despite having a feeling of burnout.

Research limitations/implications

The study has enriched the literature by presenting and analysing a comprehensive model of employee well-being in emotional work settings of the civil aviation industry.

Practical implications

The study will aid the various service industries in the framing of the intervention and training programs, which would help in promoting the well-being of employees who are specifically engaged in emotional work.

Social implications

The study is very substantial in offering various parameters over which national well-being policies for individuals can be framed.

Originality/value

Priorly, very few studies have attempted to recognise the role of the aforementioned variables in emotional work settings in a comprehensive manner. Further, the study has emphasised the unrecognised role of job satisfaction and work engagement where burnout is prevailing due to the presence of high emotional job demands.

Positive resources for psychiatry in the fourth industrial revolution: building patient and family focused psychological capital (PsyCap)

COVID-19 is altering the world, impacting every facet of life, and driving an associated global paradigm shift. Threats to our individual, family, team, community, and global well-being consume our attention at the potential price of our well-being and performance. The time to respond with scientific approaches to protect our most precious assets - people - is now. COVID-19, unstable geopolitical systems, and accelerated scientific and technological breakthroughs are characteristic of what has been identified as a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This 4IR is placing a premium on solutions that are validated to increase well-being, especially those that simultaneously significantly increase performance. Psychological Capital or simply PsyCap has emerged as a leading evidence-based positive approach to human development, drawing from previously largely untapped psychological resources (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience and Optimism or the HERO within). Although there is an extensive, growing body of PsyCap academic research in all levels of analysis and domains, there is still a void in PsyCap's applications within psychiatry. The purpose of this article is to review PsyCap applications and its implications for the practice of psychiatry, especially within the context of 4IR and the second wave of Positive Psychology (PP 2.0). Specific attention is given to evidence-based, non-stigma applications for the effective practice of psychiatry.

How Spiritual Leadership Boosts Nurses' Work Engagement: The Mediating Roles of Calling and Psychological Capital

Work engagement is an important topic in the field of nursing management. Meanwhile, spiritual leadership has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on healthcare workers. However, the relationship between spiritual leadership and work engagement is unclear. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of spiritual leadership on work engagement through increased spiritual well-being and psychological capital. This study used a cross-sectional survey to collect data in Taiwan. The sample included 164 nurses, with empirical testing carried out by PROCESS Macro for SPSS. The results show that spiritual leadership has a positive influence on work engagement and that spiritual well-being (i.e., calling) and psychological capital mediate the effect of spiritual leadership on work engagement. According to the results of this study, nursing leaders must be aware of the role of spiritual leadership in promoting work engagement.

The relationship between career capital and career success among Finnish knowledge workers

Purpose

This study aims to advance a holistic and integrated view to understand the relationship between career capital and career success among knowledge workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines the associations of three forms of career capital – human, social and psychological capital – on career success. Career success is measured through a subjective evaluation of career satisfaction and an objective evaluation of promotion. The data are drawn from 624 knowledge workers from Finland with an academic degree in business studies. The model is tested through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results stress the importance of psychological capital as an important career resource among knowledge workers. Therefore, our findings contribute to career research by supporting the argument that context and/or occupational group matters in the relationship between career capital and career success.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional data partly restrict our ability to delimit an impact. Further research using a longitudinal design would be required to confirm longitudinal effects. The respondents were a relatively homogeneous group of knowledge workers, and thus, the results are not generalized to other samples. The Finnish context (e.g., a high-quality education system, welfare society, dual-earner model) may also include special aspects that may have an effect on results limiting generalization to different contexts rather than Nordic ones.

Practical implications

Career capital is an important element of taking charge of one's career, which is expected in current working life scenarios. Given psychological capital has an impact on employees' career success, employees' psychological capital could be supported in organizations to help them to adapt to career changes. Employers benefit from individuals who are willing to invest in their work, and therefore, the employers should be aware of the individual factors that affect employees' career success.

Social implications

The meaning of career success may be context and culture related, as might its predictors. Hence, perceived career success may benefit and spill over to several stakeholders such as employers, family members and friends through its effects of positive energy and well-being. Career counselors could place more emphasis than currently on developing the psychological capital of their clients. The findings are important for other practitioners as well, such as human resource (HR) professionals who might consider dedicated programs fostering psychological capital qualities, which seem to relate to career success among knowledge workers.

Originality/value

A research model that considers career capital as an integrated entity is presented rather than focusing on a single form of career capital. Contextual issues were included by focusing on knowledge workers who represent careerists in a welfare society. These findings could advance career theory and provide developmental guidelines to help employers, HR and career-oriented individuals to build successful careers.

Relationship between Psychological Capital and Quality of Life: The Role of Courage

Quality of life is a multidimensional concept, a construct influenced by objective and subjective factors that include the evaluation of functional, physical, social, and emotional aspects of the person. The recent contributions of positive psychology present the quality of life as a fundamental indicator for health promotion and prevention strategies. In the recent psychological studies about this topic, courage demonstrated to positively affect several work behavioral outcomes, personal identity, and prosocial actions. Courage promotes change, innovation, and coping skills to achieve aims, and it correlates positively with many individual resources. The aim of the study was to investigate, according to the positive psychology approach, the relationships between psychological capital and two dimensions of quality of life—life satisfaction and flourishing—with particular attention to the mediation function performed by courage. The research was attended by a convenience sample of 807 Italian workers, balanced by gender, belonging to public, private, and non-profit organizations, and recruited on a voluntary basis. Participants responded to a structured online questionnaire containing the following measures: Psychological Capital Questionnaire, Courage Measure, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Flourishing Scale. Cronbach’s alpha on each scale showed very good internal consistency. The collected data were analyzed according to a model of linear structural equations. In the first step, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the model fit of the measurement model; in the second step, we verified the mediation hypothesis through Process v.3.1. Finally, the correlations were implemented using SPSS 20.0. The results showed that, in general, psychological capital predicts life satisfaction and flourishing, with an indirect mediation effect of courage only on flourishing. Two main conclusions emerged from the study: flourishing and life satisfaction are representative indicators of the quality of life; courage emerges as an important psychological resource that supports the individual to face and manage the uncertainties of the risk society.

Leader Humility, and Subordinates' Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Withdrawal Behavior: Exploring the Mediating Mechanisms of Subordinates' Psychological Capital

As a bottom-up leadership style, leader humility has received considerable attention from researchers. Among the abundant studies revealing the positive impact of leader humility on employees' work attitude and behaviors, there is less knowledge on how leader humility influences subordinates' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and withdrawal behavior. On the basis of the social information processing theory, this study proposed a cross-level mediation model and examined the direct impact of leader humility on subordinates' OCB and withdrawal behavior. We also further explored the underlying psychological mechanism and examined the mediating effect of psychological capital on these relationships. Using a two-wave panel design and 274 employees' questionnaire data, the empirical analysis found that: (1) leader humility was positively related to subordinates' OCB and negatively related to subordinates' withdrawal behavior; (2) leader humility was positively related to subordinates' psychological capital; and (3) psychological capital played a cross-level mediating role in the leader humility-subordinates' OCB relationship and the leader humility-subordinates' withdrawal behavior relationship. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24): Preliminary Evidence of Psychometric Validity of the Brazilian Version

Abstract The PCQ-24 is the main international measure for assessing psychological capital (PsyCap) in organizational contexts. In order to evaluate its adaptation to the Brazilian context, this study aimed to verify preliminary evidences of its psychometric validity. Data collection was conducted online with 749 employees from all regions of Brazil. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the quality of fit of the second-order factor structure of PCQ-24. The fit indicators were satisfactory (χ2= 742.10, χ2/df= 4.01, p< .001, SRMR= .05, CFI= .91, GFI= .90, TLI= .90, RMSEA= .06). Cronbach’s alpha was .92 and the composite reliability coefficient was .95; in addition, a multigroup confirmatory factorial analysis, comparing male and female participants, demonstrated that the scale is adequate for both groups. These results indicate, in a preliminary way, the validity of PCQ-24 as a measure of psychological capital in the Brazilian labor context.

The mediating role of psychological capital between perceived management commitment and safety behavior

INTRODUCTION

Among attempts that address high incidences of fatalities and injuries in coal mines, increasing attention has been paid to management commitment to complement the traditional focus on technological advances in safety management. However, more research is needed to explain the influence of perceived management commitment, with extant research drawing commonly on Griffin and Neal (2000) to focus on safety knowledge, skills, and motivation. This study draws on social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) to investigate psychological capital as a link between thought process and safety behavior.

METHOD

This study uses survey data from 400 frontline workers in China's coal mines to test hypotheses.

RESULT

Results suggest that perceived management commitment to safety correlates positively with workers' safety compliance and participation, and four constituents of psychological capital-self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience-explain the influence of perceived management commitment on safety compliance and participation. Practical Applications: Findings offer both researchers and practitioners an explanation of how perceived management commitment influences safety behaviors, and clarify the roles psychological capital constituents play in explaining the influence of perceived management commitment on safety compliance and safety participation.

Psychological Capital in Food Safety Social Co-governance

Social co-governance of food safety is an advocacy model to deal with current global food safety risks. Food safety co-governance involves the collaboration and partnership of government, industry, and society. The success of this collaboration is dependent on the construct of positive psychological capital. This paper discusses the concept of psychological capital and its four elements of self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency in line with co-governance in food safety. Accordingly, the paper proposes that great success in food safety co-governance would be realized if the government, industry, and society nurture positive psychological capital. Psychological capital can help corporates to instill organizational commitment on employees, thus promote food safety. Furthermore, positive psychological capital can help the government to appeal to the emotions of food companies and social actors to ensure self-efficacy toward food safety. The government can inspire hope by setting food safety goals and plans to achieve them, and a reward program will motivate food companies and promote self-efficacy in co-governance efforts. The government can also reinforce the efforts of companies in leveraging the elements of PsyCap in food safety, since the production of high-quality food is also dependent on the behaviors and attitudes of the workforce. Furthermore, the government can utilize social persuasion to improve the engagement of social actors in food safety regulations.

Managing job performance, social support and work-life conflict to reduce workplace stress

Purpose

Workplace stress costs £3.7bn per annum in the UK and in excess of $300bn per annum in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to examine the existence, strength and direction of relationships between perceptions of social support, work–life conflict, job performance and workplace stress in an Irish higher education institution.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected theoretical framework consisted of a combination of reward imbalance theory, expectancy theory and equity theory. An organizational stress screening survey instrument was used to survey the staff (n= 1,420) of an academic institution. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between the independent variables (social support, work–life conflict, job performance), the covariates (staff category, direct reports, age, gender), and the dependent variable (workplace stress).

Findings

The results showed a negative correlation between social support and workplace stress, a positive correlation between work–life conflict and workplace stress, and a negative correlation between job performance and workplace stress (p< 0.05). The results also revealed significant relationships between the covariates direct reports and gender and the dependent variable workplace stress.

Practical implications

The findings from this research can trigger an organizational approach where educational leaders can enable workplace change by developing and implementing social support and work–life strategies, and potential pathways to reduce levels of workplace stress and improve quality of life for employees and enhance performance.

Originality/value

The examination and establishment of particular relationships between social support, work–life conflict and job performance with workplace stress is significant for managers.