From personal resources to proactive work strategies and performance: testing the antecedents and outcomes of strengths use in a three-wave study

Purpose Based on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, this study aims to identify person-contingent antecedents and consequences of proactive strength-oriented behaviors at work. Thus, the authors propose and test a model in which psychological capital (PsyCap), as a personal resource, represents a precursor of strengths use, which in turn is a facilitator of employees' self-rated performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors tested the hypothesized mediation process through a cross-lagged study with three waves, using data collected from a sample of Romanian employees. The authors analyzed the data through structural equation modeling. Findings The results provided support for our model. The data showed significant, positive cross-lagged relationships between PsyCap, strengths use and performance across waves. Also, the authors identified a significant and positive indirect effect between PsyCap at T1 and performance at T3 through increased strengths use at T2. Originality/value This research brings new evidence for strengths use's placement as a proactive individual strategy within the JD-R theory. Practical implications are related to career self-management and work from home.