| The aim of the present study was to examine the various conceptualizations of person-environment fit including supplementary, complementary, needs-supplies, and demands-abilities perspectives, in order to clarify whether these were unique kinds of fit or whether they overlapped, given the lack of consistency among the operational definitions of person-environment fit. The person-environment fit perspectives were also examined at both the level of person-organization and person-job fit, which were then tested for their association with job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and perceived stress. Moreover, the role of affectivity in shaping individuals' judgments about fit with their environments was explored.;Findings from a sample of 383 working adults revealed that person-organization fit and person-job fit are two interrelated but different constructs that are each composed of four components, namely value and personality congruence, integrative congruence, general congruence, and ability congruence. These fit components are clearly differentiated from the traditional perspectives of supplementary, complementary, needs-supplies, and demands-abilities fit and should be considered in concert when investigating both organization and job fit. Moreover, although person-organization fit and person-job fit were both associated with increased job satisfaction, only person-organization fit was related to higher levels of life satisfaction whereas only person-job fit was related to lower levels of perceived stress. Finally, it was found that being higher in positive affectivity and lower in negative affectivity was strongly associated with reports of better person-organization and person-job fit and that person-organization fit and person-job fit partially mediated the effect of positive and negative affectivity on job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and perceived stress. This research highlights the fact that when measuring person-environment fit, the multiple facets of fit and affectivity should be taken into consideration. |
