SENSE OF CONTROL AMONG HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES - AN ASSESSMENT OF CHOICE PROCESS, EMPOWERMENT, AND BUFFERING HYPOTHESES

This study examines 3 theoretical arguments explaining employees' sens e of control: (a) The choice process hypothesis stipulates that employ ees' sense of control is a consequence of their choice processes and p erceived choice size; (b) the empowerment hypothesis proposes that sen se of control results from the empowerment role of social and organiza tional support which endorse and authorize employees' job activities; and (c) the buffering hypothesis indicates that a successful managemen t of job-related stressors is the key to greater sense of control, and that social support plays a role in buffering the potential negative influences of job-related stressors. An assessment of the hypotheses o ver a sample of 1,585 hospital employees in Korea provided overall sup port for the choice process hypothesis and partial support for both th e empowerment and the buffering hypotheses. We discuss some practical and cross-cultural research implications of the findings.