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 Cordoba, 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.