Date of Completion

9-18-2013

Embargo Period

9-18-2013

Advisors

Steven Mellor, Howard Tennen, James Dixon

Field of Study

Psychology

Degree

Master of Arts

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

Ruminating about stressful experiences at work may have negative effects for employees and the organization, but has been widely overlooked in organizational research. In order to address this gap, I examined the process by which incivility affects performance and revenge motives in the workplace. A meditational model was tested, in which stress reactive rumination mediates the relationship between incivility and performance, as well as between incivility and revenge motives. These mediated relationships were examined at the intra-individual level, such that data-points were nested within employees over time. I surveyed 108 healthcare professionals daily over a two-week study period. The data indicate that there was a significant indirect effect of incivility to performance through rumination; on occasions when incivility occurs, an individual’s tendency to ruminate increases and consequently, performance is impaired. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Major Advisor

Vicki Magley

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