Strain reactions to perceived entitlement behavior by others as a contextual stressor: Moderating role of political skill in three samples

Abstract

Observing others entitlement behavior can create a stressful work context fraught with accompanying strain consequences. The present investigation examined the interactive effects of perceived entitlement behavior by others and political skill on job tension in three samples (N = 440, 167, and 140, respectively) designed to establish a consistent pattern of results. Specifically, perceived entitlement behavior by others was hypothesized to predict heightened levels of job tension in the absence of political skill. Conversely, for those with high levels of political skill, perceived entitlement behavior by others was predicted to demonstrate little relationship with job tension. Across samples, hypothesized relationships received support, as political skill was found to be a significant moderator of the perceived entitlement behavior by others--job tension relationship. Scholarly and practical implications, strengths and limitations, and future research directions are discussed.