Influences of trait negative affect and situational similarity on correlation and convergence of work attitudes and job stress perceptions across twojobs

Job attitude and work stressor measures were obtained from members of a lar ge military reserve unit. Respondents worked part-time at the unit and full -time in a different occupation in a separate organization. Correlations of corresponding job attitudes and perceived stressors across the two jobs we re significant, but not of high magnitude. For both job stressors and work attitudes, trait negative affectivity did not explain cross-job correlation s. Tests of squared differences between attitudes and between job stressors also indicated no influence of trait affect There was stronger convergence (squared difference) of intrinsic job satisfaction across jobs when differ ences in physical demands (physical, outdoor work versus sedentary, indoor work) were lower suggesting that situational similarity affected convergenc e. Trait negative affect correlated more strongly with full-time job attitu des than with part-time job attitudes. We discuss implications for testing dispositional theories of attitudes and stress and practical attempts to im prove job attitudes and reduce stress.