The Impact of Challenge-Hindrance Stressors on Gig Workers' Sense of Gain and Helping Behavior

Abstract

Abstract: With the rapid development of the platform economy, the number of gig workers is growing, and their psychological status and behaviors at work have become a hot topic for management research. However, existing studies predominantly examine gig worker stress from a single perspective, lacking systematic analysis based on a dichotomous stress framework. Based on the transactional theory of stress, this study constructed a dual-mediation model to explore the mediating role of challenge and hindrance appraisals in the relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors and sense of gain and helping behavior, as well as the moderating role of algorithmic fault-tolerant perception. Analysis of 428 samples reveals that challenge stressors had a positive effect on sense of gain and helping behavior, whereas hindrance stressors had a negative effect. Challenge appraisal mediated the relationship between challenge stressors and sense of gain and helping behavior, whereas hindrance appraisal mediated the relationship between hindrance stressors and helping behavior. In addition, algorithmic fault-tolerant perception played a moderating role in the relationship where challenge stressors affected the sense of gain through challenge appraisal, and in the relationship where hindrance stressors affected the sense of gain and helping behavior through hindrance appraisal. This study not only provides an instrumental basis for understanding gig workers' dichotomous work stress and deepens the application of transactional theory of stress in gig contexts, but also offers practical insights for platform companies to optimize algorithmic management and enhance worker well-being.

Key words: Platform Economy, Gig Workers, Challenge-Hindrance Stressors, Algorithmic Fault-Tolerant Perception, Helping Behavior, Sense of Gain

摘要： 随着平台经济的蓬勃发展,零工工作者群体规模持续扩大,其工作态度与行为已成为管理研究的重要议题。然而,现有研究多从单一视角探讨零工工作者压力,缺乏基于二元压力框架的系统分析。本研究基于压力交易理论,构建双中介模型,旨在揭示认知评估在挑战性-阻碍性压力与获得感及帮助行为之间的中介机制,并考察算法容错感的调节作用。通过对428份样本数据进行分析,结果表明:挑战性压力对获得感和帮助行为具有正向影响,阻碍性压力则有负向影响。挑战性评估中介挑战性压力与获得感及帮助行为的关系,而阻碍性评估中介阻碍性压力与帮助行为的关系。此外,算法容错感不仅调节挑战性评估在挑战性压力与获得感之间的间接效应,还调节阻碍性评估在阻碍性压力与获得感和帮助行为之间的间接效应。本研究不仅为理解零工工作者二元压力提供了工具基础,深化了压力交易理论在零工情境的应用,还为平台企业优化算法管理、提升劳动者福祉提供了实践启示。

关键词: 平台经济, 零工工作者, 挑战性-阻碍性压力, 算法容错感, 帮助行为, 获得感

CLC Number:

XU Qin, SONG Haixin, ZHAO Shuming, WANG Ying. The Impact of Challenge-Hindrance Stressors on Gig Workers' Sense of Gain and Helping Behavior[J]. Collected Essays on Finance and Economics, 2026, 42(3): 5-17.

许勤, 宋海欣, 赵曙明, 汪莹. 二元工作压力对零工工作者获得感与帮助行为的影响[J]. 财经论丛, 2026, 42(3): 5-17.

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