Type D Personality Individuals: Exploring the Protective Role of Intrinsic Job Motivation in Burnout

Abstract

Three studies (Study 1, with 354 teaching and administrative staff at the University of Córdoba, Study 2 with 567 teachers, Study 3, longitudinal, with 111 teachers) analyzed the role adopted by self-regulatory variables in the relationship between type D personality (TDP) and burnout. Moderated mediation analyses in the three studies confirmed: (1) the mediating role of emotional dissonance in the relationships between TDP and burnout; (2) the mediating role of self-efficacy in the TDP-burnout link; and (3) the moderating role of intrinsic job motivation in confirmed mediations. The results highlighted that (1) high levels of emotional dissonance may act as a risk factor that is increased with high levels of TDP and (2) self-efficacy to cope with stress and intrinsic motivation act as protective factors, highlighting the protective role of intrinsic motivation because it buffers the negative effects of TDP on workers’ burnout.

Keywords

• burnout
• type d personality
• emotional dissonance
• self-efficacy to cope with stress
• intrinsic job motivation