Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

My fault or yours? leaders’ dual reactions to abusive supervision via rumination depend on their independent self‐construal

Deng, Hong; Lam, Catherine K.; Guan, Yanjun; Wang, Mo

My fault or yours? leaders’ dual reactions to abusive supervision via rumination depend on their independent self‐construal Thumbnail


Authors

Catherine K. Lam

Mo Wang



Abstract

In this research, we propose a novel goal‐failure perspective based on cognitive theories of rumination to examine how leaders react to their own abusive supervision in distinct ways. Findings from two multi‐wave, multisource field studies conducted with organizational leaders and an online experiment support hypotheses that leaders ruminate on their abusive behavior and this rumination triggers reconciliation efforts (a problem‐solving reaction) or the blaming of victims (a self‐serving reaction). In line with cognitive theories of rumination, leaders’ independent self‐construal functions as a key qualifier for the effects of rumination, such that, when they ruminate, leaders who have low levels of independent self‐construal are more likely to seek reconciliation, while leaders who have high levels of independent self‐construal are more likely to blame their victims. Furthermore, reconciliation is not significantly related to subordinates’ evaluation of their leaders’ effectiveness but blaming is negatively related to it. These findings are an important extension of nascent perpetrator‐centric research regarding abusive supervision.

Citation

Deng, H., Lam, C. K., Guan, Y., & Wang, M. (2021). My fault or yours? leaders’ dual reactions to abusive supervision via rumination depend on their independent self‐construal. Personnel Psychology, 74(4), 773-798. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12430

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 16, 2020
Publication Date 2021
Deposit Date Oct 27, 2020
Publicly Available Date Jan 26, 2022
Journal Personnel Psychology
Print ISSN 0031-5826
Electronic ISSN 1744-6570
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 74
Issue 4
Pages 773-798
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12430
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1258659

Files






You might also like



Downloadable Citations