When Does Self-Esteem Relate to Deviant Behavior? The Role of Contingencies of Self-Worth

• Main Authors: FERRIS, Donald L., Brown, D. J., Lian, H., Keeping, L. M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2009
• Subjects: self-esteem; contingent self-esteem; organizational deviance; plasticity theory; self-consistency theory; Business Administration, Management, and Operations; Human Resources Management
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/1699; https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016115
• Institution: Singapore Management University

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.