TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychological contract breach and job attitudes
T2 - a meta-analysis of age as a moderator
AU - Bal, P Matthijs
AU - De Lange, Annet H.
AU - Jansen, Paul G. W.
AU - Van Der Velde, Mandy E.G.
PY - 2008/2
Y1 - 2008/2
N2 - The aim of this study was to examine the influence of age in the relation between psychological contract breach and the development of job attitudes. Based on affective events, social exchange, and lifespan theory, we hypothesized that (1) psychological contract breach would be related negatively to job attitudes, and (2) that age would moderate these relations. The hypotheses were tested by means of a meta-analysis of k = 60 studies, using Weighted Least Squares estimation. Our results supported both hypotheses for the outcomes trust and organizational commitment. However, for job satisfaction the moderating influence of age was in the unexpected direction. The relations between contract breach and trust and organizational commitment were indeed stronger for younger workers, whereas the relation between contract breach and job satisfaction was stronger for older workers. The implications are discussed, and a research agenda is presented.
AB - The aim of this study was to examine the influence of age in the relation between psychological contract breach and the development of job attitudes. Based on affective events, social exchange, and lifespan theory, we hypothesized that (1) psychological contract breach would be related negatively to job attitudes, and (2) that age would moderate these relations. The hypotheses were tested by means of a meta-analysis of k = 60 studies, using Weighted Least Squares estimation. Our results supported both hypotheses for the outcomes trust and organizational commitment. However, for job satisfaction the moderating influence of age was in the unexpected direction. The relations between contract breach and trust and organizational commitment were indeed stronger for younger workers, whereas the relation between contract breach and job satisfaction was stronger for older workers. The implications are discussed, and a research agenda is presented.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=38349159828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2007.10.005
U2 - 10.1016/j.jvb.2007.10.005
DO - 10.1016/j.jvb.2007.10.005
M3 - Article
SN - 0001-8791
VL - 72
SP - 143
EP - 158
JO - Journal of Vocational Behavior
JF - Journal of Vocational Behavior
IS - 1
ER -