PAST ABUSIVE SUPERVISION, HINDRANCE APPRAISAL AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT

Abstract

The aim of this study is to propose and assess a framework that suggests how abusive supervision that has occurred in the past, has residual effects on victims long after they have left those jobs. Using a trauma lens, the paper aims to suggest how past abuse generates an outcome through the process hindrance appraisal. Furthermore, this research proposes that social support acts as a moderator in the relationship between hindrance appraisal and posttraumatic stress. This study draws from the Conservation of Resource Theory and the Transactional Stress Theory to address the links that are proposed. Using a time-lagged design, full-time employees working in diverse sectors of Pakistan were surveyed and data were collected (N=336). In order to evaluate the hypothesized model, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted. Further, to validate the indirect and moderating effects, Process MACRO was used. The results of the study demonstrated that past abusive supervision is positively linked to posttraumatic stress where the effect was positive and significant. Furthermore, hindrance appraisal for stressors had a positive and significant relationship with posttraumatic stress. Results from the indirect effects showed that the effects were significant. In addition, hindrance appraisal mediated the link between past abusive supervision and posttraumatic stress for which the effect was also significant. Lastly, the findings showed that social support moderated the link between hindrance appraisal and posttraumatic stress such that the relationship was weaker in the presence of the moderator.