Core Self-Evaluation and Group Stressors: A Trait Activation Perspective on Employee Performance

In this study, we examined the impact of group level stressors – challenge stressors and hindrance stressors on the relationship between employee core self-evaluations (CSE) and performance (job performance and organizational citizenship behavior, OCB). Drawing on Tett and Burnett’s (2003) trait activation theory, we theorized that shared stressors at the group level provide cues for individual trait expression. Core self-evaluators respond (or show lack of response) to these cues by varying their performance. In a sample of supervisor-employee groups, we found that core self-evaluators perform better when shared level of challenge stressors is high and they are more likely to demonstrate OCB when shared level of hindrance stressors is low. Our findings advance multilevel research on stress and add to group-level variables that might impact CSE – performance relationship.