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Not all aggressions are created equal: a multifoci approach to workplace aggression
Chu-Hsiang Daisy Chang1, Brent J Lyons
1Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 346 Psychology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. cchang@msu.edu
Journal of Occupational Health Psychology
|November 30, 2011
Summary
Workplace aggression from supervisors, coworkers, and customers impacts employee morale and turnover intention through emotional strain and relationship judgments. Coworker aggression directly increases turnover intention.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Psychology
- Workplace Behavior
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Workplace aggression is a significant issue with varied implications based on perpetrator type.
- Existing research highlights the need to understand multifoci aggression and its impact on employees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the affective and cognitive pathways linking verbal aggression from different perpetrator types to employee morale and turnover intention.
- To investigate the mediating roles of emotional strain and social exchange judgments in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 446 working adults.
- Analysis of verbal aggression from supervisors, coworkers, customers, and significant others.
- Examination of links to employee morale and turnover intention.
Main Results:
- Emotional strain and social exchange judgments mediated the effects of aggression from supervisors, coworkers, and customers on morale and turnover intention.
- Coworker aggression showed a direct association with turnover intention.
- Aggression from significant others was linked to turnover intention solely through emotional strain.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the specific perpetrator of workplace aggression is crucial for addressing its impact on employees.
- Interventions should consider both emotional and cognitive mechanisms to mitigate negative outcomes like low morale and high turnover.
- Findings offer theoretical insights into multifoci aggression and practical guidance for organizations.
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