This article reviews the role of individual differences in work stress
processes, with particular reference to personality and coping as mod
erator variables. Vulnerability/resilience and person-environment fit
(congruence) models of moderator effects are contrasted and relevant i
ssues of methodology and analysis are outlined. Personality traits (lo
cus of control, hardiness, Type A, optimism, and neuroticism) that act
as moderators of stress/strain relations are reviewed; the characteri
stics and limitations of available measures are described. Association
s between personality and coping, inventories for the assessment of co
ping, and the dimensions of coping behaviour, are then considered. The
implications of structural and transactional models of stress for cop
ing assessment are discussed with reference to dispositional versus si
tuational approaches and other psychometric issues. The need for resea
rch into coping flexibility and consistency is emphasized. No attempt
is made to provide a comprehensive account of empirical research into
individual difference moderator effects, but relevant review articles
are cited, together with some recent studies. Finally, several areas w
hich would merit further attention (including specificity of moderator
effects, conjunctive and disjunctive patterns, and moderation of rela
tions between objective and perceived stressors) are identified.