Challenge stress, hindrance stress and work related outcomes: A cross cultural study

This study examined the relationship of challenge-related stress and hindrance- related stress with motivation, work satisfaction and burnout among health care professionals in Canada (N=84) and the Middle East (N=245). A model was proposed where two cultural dimensions (Individualism and Uncertainty Avoidance) and social support were proposed as moderators. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from Canadian health care professionals working in hospitals in Montreal and their Arab counterparts working in hospitals in three Middle Eastern countries (Egypt, Jordan and United Arab Emirates). Standardized scales with proven psychometric properties were used for all the variables in the study. To analyze the data, Pearson correlation and moderated multiple regression were used. Challenge stress and hindrance stress were both significantly positively related to burnout in the Canadian and Middle Eastern sample. Some differential effects were found in terms of the relationship between the two types of stress and work satisfaction and motivation. The proposed moderator effects were generally supported by the data. Relationships were compared in both samples. Potential implications and directions for future research were highlighted.