Challenge-hindrance stressors and cyberloafing: A perspective of resource conservation versus resource acquisition

Previous research implies a positive relationship between job stressors and cyberloafing, but that may be half the story. Under the challenge-hindrance stressors framework and conservation of resources theory, we propose that the impact of stressors on cyberloafing depends on the nature of stressors that employees encountered. Using a sample of 498 employees from various fields, we tested a conceptual model in which challenge stressors and hindrance stressors have differential effects on cyberloafing through resilience and emotional exhaustion separately. The results revealed that challenge stressors have a negative direct effect on cyberloafing, whereas hindrance stressors have a positive direct effect. Both two types of stressors have positive indirect effects on cyberloafing through emotional exhaustion. However, even though challenge stressors were positively related to resilience and hindrance stressors were negatively related to resilience, our data did support the mediating role of resilience between job stressors and cyberloafing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.