Abusive Supervision and Burnout: The Moderating Role of Subordinates’ Neuroticism and Time Spent with the Supervisors

Abstract

Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory (COR. Hobfoll, 1989), the purpose of this study was to further our understanding of the relationship between abusive supervision and burnout by testing the moderating effects of subordinates' neuroticism and time spent with the supervisor. Data collected from two samples showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between abusive supervision and burnout. When considering only the primary moderator, subordinates' neuroticism, on the relationship abusive supervision and burnout, the perception of abusive supervision on burnout was not influenced by any level of subordinates' neuroticism. When considering the primary moderator (subordinates' neuroticism) and secondary moderator (time spent with the supervisor) on the relationship between abusive supervision and burnout, results from Sample 2 only found a significant three-way interaction between abusive supervision, subordinates' neuroticism, and time spent with supervision that was operationalized as time spent interacting with the supervisor in hours per week. Specifically, the positive relationship between abusive supervision and burnout was strongest when subordinates were high neuroticism and they interacted with their supervisor for more than 9.45 hours a week. Practical implications, limitations and future directions are discussed.