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The impact of abusive supervision on subordinate job satisfaction: The moderating role of subordinate negative affectivity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Based on self-verification theory, this study examines whether compatibility between a supervisor leadership style (i.e., abusive supervision) and a subordinate dispositional characteristic (i.e., negative affectivity) relates to subordinates’ job satisfaction. The present study proposes and finds that the effects of abusive supervision on subordinate job satisfaction are attenuated when the subordinate has high negative affectivity. Field studies from the United States and China reveal that the negative relationship between abusive supervision and subordinate job satisfaction is weakened (i.e., becomes less negative) when the subordinate has higher levels of negative affectivity compared to when the subordinate has lower levels of negative affectivity.

Source: Journal of Business Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115838

Authors: Orlando C. Richard, Jun Yang, María del Carmen Triana

Institutions: University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Vanderbilt University

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,440