Evolving self-concept in the workplace and associated experience of stress: A case of a large Japanese company

Abstract Existing models of job stress assume consistent appraisals of stressors over the course of a career, and the developing nature of workers is often overlooked. This study explored how workers’ self-concepts evolved over the career development process, and the conjoined experience of stress. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between April 2017 and October 2018 with 17 engineers employed at a Japanese construction firm. A coding procedure based on grounded theory was used to identify key categories. Early in their careers, workers viewed themselves as mostly carrying out assigned tasks in a passive manner. Over the career course, workers had a growing sense of responsibility toward their work and tried to fulfill their roles as proactive agents. Eventually, workers came to view themselves as making contributions to their jobs by creating unique value. Accordingly, a stressor (e.g., work pressure) was perceived differently as the self-concept evolved, namely as psychological distress, challenge for growth, or opportunity to express one’s value. These findings suggest that the psychological management of work-induced distress and eustress should match a worker’s development of self-concept over the course of a career.