Workplace Deviance as a Possible “Maladaptive Coping” Behavior Displayed in Association with Workplace Stressors

ABSTRACTThe Threat Appraisal and Coping Theory suggests that in response to environmental stressors, individuals sometimes display “maladaptive coping” behaviors that may vent frustration immediately but worsen later psychosocial well-being. For example, employees exposed to workplace stressors may vent their frustration with workplace deviance including intentional poor performance, abuse of organizational resources, disrespect, and disruption of co-workers, but such workplace deviance may worsen their later psychological well-being. The present study examined workplace deviance as a possible “maladaptive coping” behavior displayed by 293 university employees (74.7% female; 90.4% White; mean age = 45.8 years; 43 administrators, 127 staff, 84 faculty). When three workplace stressors (high demand, low control, low support) were compared for their association with workplace deviance, only low support was significant. Furthermore, workplace deviance was significantly associated with negative psychosocial out...