Lowering the Threshold for Feeling Mistreated: Perceived Overqualification Moderates the Effects of Perceived Age Discrimination on Job Withdrawal and Somatic Symptoms

This study examines whether and how perceived overqualification affects the relationships between perceived age discrimination from one's supervisor and two outcome variables: job withdrawal and somatic symptoms. Using a paired sample (of employees and a paired participant who knew them well, N = 235 pairs), results show that employees who feel overqualified, compared to those who do not feel overqualified, react more negatively to perceived age discrimination by engaging in greater withdrawal behaviors and experiencing higher somatic symptoms. Findings extend both relative deprivation theory and the age discrimination literature by indicating that perceived overqualification is not only a trigger for relative deprivation, but also a factor that seems to lower an employee's threshold for tolerating discriminatory treatment. We conclude with a discussion on practical implications that incorporate strategies for reducing perceptions of age discrimination and overqualification. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.