Responding to Conflict at Work and Individual Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Flight Behavior and Feelings of Helplessness

32 Pages Posted: 10 Oct 2004

See all articles by Maria T. M. Dijkstra

Maria T. M. Dijkstra

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology

D. van Dierendonck

University of Amsterdam

Arne Evers

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology

Abstract

A field study involving a health-care institution was conducted, to examine the mediating influence of conflict responses on the relation between conflict and well-being. We tested the hypothesis that conflict at work and its responses resulted in the experience of more organizational stress and therefore in reduced well-being. Using structural equation modeling we found support for our hypotheses. We not only showed that conflict was positively related to helplessness and flight behavior, but also that these responses mediated between conflict and organizational stress. Finally, increases in experienced organizational stress reduced well-being. Implications for conflict theory and well-being in organizations are discussed.

Keywords: Conflict, Responding, Well-Being

JEL Classification: D74

Suggested Citation

Dijkstra, Maria T. M. and van Dierendonck, Dirk and Evers, Arne, Responding to Conflict at Work and Individual Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Flight Behavior and Feelings of Helplessness. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=602043 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.602043

Maria T. M. Dijkstra (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology ( email )

Roetersstraat 15
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

Dirk Van Dierendonck

University of Amsterdam

Spui 21
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands

Arne Evers

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology ( email )

Roetersstraat 15
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands