ScholarOne - Influence of negative emotions and organisational control
environment on Psychological Abuse
Abstract
Psychological abuse (PA) is one of the dimensions of counterproductive
work behaviors (CWB). Such abuse directed towards the members of the
organisation harm them emotionally or psychologically. Abuse by
individuals to harm others with whom they work is much more prevalent
than extreme acts of aggression involving physical assaults in work
settings. These behaviors with non-violent, non-physical and
psychological consequences are referred as ‘Emotional Abuse’ (Keashly
and Harvey, 2005). These behaviors are gaining importance as they are
getting more prevalent and costly for organisations and their members.
Extant literature informs that these behaviors are caused by stressful
work conditions such as role conflict, role ambiguity and interpersonal
conflicts among others, mediated by negative emotions. However, these
behaviors have not been explicitly examined in relation with discrete
negative emotions. Hence in this study, we examine the influence of
discrete negative emotions and the perception regarding organisational
control environment on psychologically abusive behaviors. The results
indicate specific discrete negative emotions and the factors of POCE
significantly influences psychological abuse.