Moderating Role of Work/Non-Work Interference and Enhancement in the Associations of Job Characteristics, Person-Job-Fit, and Military Personnel Career Adaptation

Military career adaptability is critical for a country like Nigeria facing insecurity issues as it affects work engagement with the job performance of soldiers, development and sovereignty of many nations and countries. A substantial literature has examined the predictors of career adaptation. Still, there is little research on the contributions of personality, enhancement and interference, vocational with task identity factors and military career adaptation. Since unadaptable soldiers may not be able to fight against terrorists, resurgences and other domestic insecurity challenges associated with harmful consequences in armed forces, defence organisations, and countries. We investigated moderating role of work/non-work interference and enhancement on the associations of job characteristics and person-job-fit in military personnel career adaptation. The theory of work adjustment is comprehensive to explain the factors connected with the development and issue of military career adaptability. The study utilised a cross-sectional design with two hundred and fifty-two (252) military personnel. Their age ranged from 18-65 years (M= .34, SD= .72). The Global Self-Report Measure for Person-Job-Fit, Job Description Survey, Work/Non-Work Interference and Enhancement Scale and the Career Adaptability Scale were used for data collection. Hierarchical regression results showed that job characteristics, person-job-fit and work/non-work interference positively correlated with career adaptation. Interaction between job characteristics and work/non-work interference was significant for career adaptability, indicating that work/non-work interference moderated the association of job characteristics and career adaptability. Defence organisations must recognise the importance of assisting soldiers in adapting to their jobs by avoiding interference and implementing work enhancement policies, altering job characteristics, and enlisting and deploying best-fitted soldiers for combat.