Effects of life and job stress on information search behaviors of organizational members

Abstract

Examined the relationship of stressful life events in and out of work to role-relevant information search. It was suggested that stressful life events lead a person to question the appropriateness of typical modes of role enactment resulting in increased role-relevant information search. 44 adults (mean age 37.7 yrs) employed in a wide variety of organizations completed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale and the Organizational Readjustment Rating Scale that measure 2 types of stressful events (life and work), and role-related information search was assessed in 2 settings (on and off the job). Results show that stressful events significantly predicted information search activities. However, work-related stressful events predicted information search conducted on the job, whereas life stress predicted off-the-job search. (11 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)