The effect of psychological capital on perceived stress—Mediating effect of coping styles

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Psychological capital (PsyCap) and perceived stress, as well as the mediating effects of six different coping strategies at work. A web-based survey was conducted with 3,000 office workers—2,193 males, 804 females, and 3 unknown, ; the participants’ mean age was 47.38 (SD: 8.7; range: 18-59)—. The measures included the Japanese version of the PCQ24, the Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief Scales for Coping Profile (BSCP), which consists of six coping factors. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) suggested that PsyCap had a direct negative effect on perceived stress, an indirect positive effect on perceived stress through “Active solution” coping, and an indirect negative effect on perceived stress through “Changing a point of view” and “Avoidance and suppression” coping. These findings indicate that PsyCap has the dual impact of either reducing or increasing perceived stress directly or indirectly through these coping styles. Also, increased perceived stress through “Active solution” coping may result in positive outcomes after overcoming the temporary increase in stress. Future research should investigate the relationship of PsyCap between positive outcomes in the context of stress science research.