An Exploratory Study: Correlations Between Occupational Stressors, Coping Mechanisms, and Job Performance Among Chinese Aviation Maintenance Technicians

Aviation maintenance technicians play a vital role in air transportation. These workers are responsible for keeping aircraft airworthy and executing safety responsibilities. Undesirable stress levels may have a negative impact on work performance (Mowday, Porter, & Steers, 2013). Poor work performance may manifest in safety violations, absenteeism, turnover, and disengagement. These outcomes may disrupt an organization’s operation and negatively impact the financial bottom line. This mixed-methods exploratory research study was aimed at examining the relationships between occupational stress, coping mechanisms, and job performance. Research questionnaires were electronically distributed to frontline aviation maintenance technicians at multiple airlines in China. Eighty-two (n 5 82) completed surveys were used for data analysis. Results indicated a statistically significant negative correlation between occupational stress and job performance. A positive correlation between occupational stress and coping skills was found, but no significant correlation between job performance and coping mechanisms. Additionally, two open-ended questions were analyzed pertaining to occupational stressors and coping mechanisms. Salary, strenuous work schedule, and limited opportunities for promotion were the top three work-related stressors identified by participants. Taking a break, talking to someone, and exercising were the top three coping mechanisms identified by participants. Along with the results, recommendations for future research to identify causal relationships are discussed.