When does self-esteem relate to deviant behavior? The role of contingencies of self-worth.
Researchers have assumed that low self-esteem predicts deviance, but empirical results have been mixed. This article draws upon recent theoretical developments regarding contingencies of self-worth to clarify the self-esteem/deviance relation. It was predicted that self-esteem level would relate to deviance only when self-esteem was not contingent on workplace performance. In this manner, contingent self-esteem is a boundary condition for self-consistency/behavioral plasticity theory predictions. Using multisource data collected from 123 employees over 6 months, the authors examined the interaction between level (high/low) and type (contingent/noncontingent) of self-esteem in predicting workplace deviance. Results support the hypothesized moderating effects of contingent self-esteem; implications for self-esteem theories are discussed.
Ferris
D Lance
DL
Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University, Singapore 178899. dlferris@smu.edu.sg
Brown
Douglas J
DJ
Lian
Huiwen
H
Keeping
Lisa M
LM
D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D024382:Professional Role; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior