The Dynamic Influence of Personality on Psychological Contract Evaluations: a 2-Study Investigation of Approach/Avoidance Goals and Emotion Regulation Strategies

Abstract

Consistent with recent developments, we question the validity of trait neuroticism (N) and conscientiousness (C) as antecedents of psychological contract breach (PCB) and violation feelings. We investigate how key mediating (i.e., approach/avoidance goals) and moderating (i.e., emotion regulation strategies) mechanisms of the personality-PCB relationship operate over time. In Study 1 (550 observations), state N or C was associated positively with PCB and state N was associated positively with violation feelings. In study 2 (394 observations), state N was positively related to momentary avoidance goals, which in turn were related negatively to PCB and related positively to violation feelings. Moreover, suppression moderated the latter relationship; as suppression increased, the relationship between avoidance goals and violation feelings grew stronger. In contrast, state C was related positively to approach goals, which in turn were related positively to PCB and negatively to violation feelings. We discuss implications for theory and practice.