Consequences of abusive supervision: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

While a plethora of studies have examined the relationships between abusive supervision and outcomes, there is a lack of a comprehensive and systematic framework that integrates the consequences and moderators of abusive supervision. We fill the void in the abusive supervision literature through conducting a quantitative review. Based on a meta-analysis of 119 independent samples (N = 35,239), we found that abusive supervision was related to subordinates’ attitudes, well-beings, organizational justice perceptions, workplace behaviors, performance, and family-related outcomes. In addition, we found that power distance moderated the relationships of abusive supervision with subordinates’ workplace behaviors and performance in Asia and North America. In addition, the relationships between abusive supervision and its consequences were contingent on subordinates’ age, organizational tenure, and time spent with supervisors, and research design. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.