Individual Differences in Boredom Proneness amongst Truck Drivers

Abstract

This study is on the relationship between boredom at work and personal characteristics. A total of 60 Coca-Cola truck drivers in Ibadan-Nigeria constituted the sample of this study. Their average age was 38.45 years with ages ranging from 27 to 48 years. Using a survey research method, participants were required to complete questionnaires designed to measure variables of interest resulting in an ex-post-factor design (after the –fact) because of the non-manipulation of the variables. Two hypotheses were tested in the present study. Results of the simple regression model suggest that age, tenure on job, self-esteem and locus of control individually and jointly predicted boredom proneness amongst truck drivers. The same variables jointly accounted for 67% of the proportion of the variance in boredom proneness.


Results of the 2 x 2 x 2 ANOVA also revealed that younger, inner directed and high self-esteem individuals are significantly less bothered by repetitive work than their counterparts, who are older, externally oriented and who are lower in self-esteem.


The results are discussed in terms of possible implications for personnel selection and placement decisions.





IFE Psychologia (2002) 10(1), 85-99