COMPARING COGNITIVE VERSUS AFFECTIVE PATHWAYS LINKING ROLE STRESS TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STYLES IN THE WORKPLACE

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between role stress (i.e., role ambiguity and role conflict) and conflict management styles in the workplace. To date, no studies have investigated this relationship, and this is the first study to look at the interpersonal outcomes of role stress. In this relationship, I proposed two mediating pathways – cognitive (hostile attribution style) and affective (negative affectivity) – which are sequentially followed by workplace incivility. A cross-sectional study was adopted where participants were directed to an online questionnaire, with questions about their conflict management styles, enacted workplace incivility, hostile attribution style, negative affectivity and role stress experienced in their workplace. Findings revealed that role stress, specifically role ambiguity, was related to conflict management styles. The mediation role of negative affectivity was also supported for the relationship between role ambiguity and conflict management styles. The mediation role of hostile attribution style was not supported for the sequential pathway. These results provide a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms between role stress and conflict management styles, giving organisations a potential antecedent of conflict to look out for.