The Role of Velocity in Occupational Stress Across the Career Span

Abstract

The process of occupational stress is dynamic, and thus must be conceptualized through an intraindividual perspective. Theories of self-regulation model feedback loops in goal pursuit and have meaningful implications for occupational well-being, from the task-level to years across the career span. In particular, discrepancy (the distance between one’s actual and desired states) and velocity (the speed at which one is moving towards a desired state) influence reactions in goal-striving. We extend theory bridging the self-regulation, occupational health, and career literatures by outlining the effects of discrepancy and velocity feedback for well-being, which we ground in cybernetic theories of stress, coping, and well-being. Further, we consider change at the macro scale by delimiting the impact of velocity, experienced in the pursuit of goals across Super’s (1980) career stages, on worker health. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of velocity and health over the career stages.

Citation

Van Fossen, J.A., Chang, C.-H. and Johnson, R.E. (2021), "The Role of Velocity in Occupational Stress Across the Career Span", Harms, P.D., Perrewé, P.L. and Chang, C.-H.(D). (Ed.) Examining and Exploring the Shifting Nature of Occupational Stress and Well-Being (Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, Vol. 19), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 67-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-355520210000019004