title: Good cope, bad cope: adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies following a critical negative work event.
abstract: The authors examined the moderating effects of coping tactics on the relationship between negative emotion and work performance. Findings indicate an adverse effect of emotion on performance; however, this effect is moderated by coping tactics. Venting (expressing one's negative feelings to others) amplified the adverse effects of negative emotion. Self-control had mixed effects: On one hand, it buffered the adverse effects of negative emotion, yet on the other hand, it had a negative direct effect on outcomes. Task focus had a positive direct effect on performance but no buffering (moderating) effect. Implications of these findings for understanding the effects of negative emotion and coping in the workplace are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, C. T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA. steve.brown@mail.uh.edu
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.forename: Goutam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Challagalla
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000275:Adjustment Disorders; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*