Measuring stress reaction style: A construct validity investigation

A stress reaction style describes the stress symptoms that will be experienced in the presence of environmental stressors. We present validity evidence for this construct from a theoretical review of related constructs, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and a series of correlation and regression analyses. Results showed (1) stress reaction style is distinct from neuroticism, type-A personality, and state-based stress; (2) stress reaction style mediates the relationship between current stress and work withdrawal, and (3) stress reaction style has incremental validity over other predictors of work withdrawal including neuroticism, job satisfaction and current stress. These results provide construct validity evidence for the stress reaction style construct, and suggest potential utility in selection settings where measures of current stressors and strains are less applicable.