Title
When Broken Promises Threaten One’s Identity: The Impact of Psychological Contract Breach on Self-Identity Threat
Department/School
Management
Date of this version
2012
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Research on psychological contracts has not been clear on how and why psychological contract breach (PCB) has the effect it does on employee attitudes and behaviors. In this study, we suggest that self-identity threat provides a lens through which to better understand PCB. Specifically, PCB is expected to convey information that threatens an employee’s sense of value or worth in the organization. In a study of 386 university employees, we found that: 1) PCB results in self-identity threat, which 2) elicits strong negative affect, and 3) results in the use of coping strategies, including seeking social support and organizational retaliation.
Volume
12
Issue
3/4
Published in
Journal of Organizational Psychology
Citation/Other Information
O’Leary-Kelly, A. M. (2012). When Broken Promises Threaten One’s Identity: The Impact of Psychological Contract Breach on Self-Identity Threat. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 12(3/4), 81-98.