Adaptive Performance in a Constantly Changing Work Environment: The Impact of Psychological Distress, Resilience and Perceived Organisational Support on Young Adult Workers

Abstract

Whenever a crisis occurs, employees will have to readapt themselves. Employees in young adulthood face many challenges, and those who have good adaptability levels will be able to perform well in a constantly changing work environment. This study examined the impact of psychological distress on the adaptive performance of employees, along with the mediating effects of resilience and perceived organisational support. A quantitative survey method was used, where data was collected from 151 employees, working in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The questionnaire was based on a few demographic factors and four standardised scales with satisfactory reliability levels namely the Adaptive Performance Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, COVID- 19 Peritraumatic Distress Index and the Survey of Perceived Organisational Support. A Pearson Correlation, Regression and Mediation analysis were done. The findings supported the research hypotheses, where young adults working in the Western province of Sri Lanka had good levels of adaptive performance and lower levels of psychological distress. It was also found that resilience and perceived organisational support of employees do have an indirect influence on their levels of adaptive performance in a constantly changing work environment.