Stress in the Aftermath of Psychological Contract Disruption: An Integration of Cognitive Activation Theory and Psychological Contract Theory Dynamics

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dc.contributor.advisorO'Neill, Thomas A.
dc.contributor.advisorHansen, Samantha D.
dc.contributor.authorJones, Samantha K.
dc.contributor.committeememberTurner, Nicholas
dc.contributor.committeememberZweig, David
dc.contributor.committeememberWillness, Chelsea R.
dc.contributor.committeememberCronin, Matthew A.
dc.date2025-02
dc.date.accessioned2024-12-12T22:24:32Z
dc.date.available2024-12-12T22:24:32Z
dc.date.issued2024-12-11
dc.description.abstractThe psychological contract (PC) represents the mental schema an employee has about what they are obligated to provide to their organization (e.g., performing in-role duties) and what their organization is obligated to provide in return (e.g., fair pay). When employees perceive that their organization has not provided what is obligated to them and has impeded their personal goals, they experience a negative PC disruption. Negative PC disruptions are known to cause stress and negative affect and are associated with poor mental and physical health over time. However, previous theorizing and empirical investigations have under-represented the role of system dynamics in understanding how these relationships evolve over time. This dissertation describes two stand-alone papers that extend previous PC and stress theorizing through a system dynamics lens. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical integration of PC and stress dynamics and proposes a System Dynamics Model of Negative Affect and Stress, supported by 17 testable propositions. The model highlights key factors that influence the inflow (i.e., history of PC disruption, stimulus expectancies) and outflow (i.e., individual and organizational actions, outcome expectancies) of stress and negative affect and how these factors influence the experience of PC disruption over time. This model sheds light on how the PC evolves in response to changes in stress and negative affect and provides a framework for better understanding how individuals and organizations can support healthy employment relationships. Chapter 3 then presents an experimental vignette study (N = 356) that empirically tests a subset of propositions from Chapter 2. More positive outcome expectancies (compared to negative outcome expectancies) were associated with lower reports of anticipated stress and negative affect. Participants’ self- reported rumination did not appear to alter anticipated stress and negative affect across experimental blocks. Findings demonstrate the importance of employees’ beliefs about what can be done to repair the PC and encourage further exploration of factors like rumination that can alter stress and negative affect recovery. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as future research directions and challenges, are discussed.
dc.identifier.citationJones, S. (2024). Stress in the aftermath of psychological contract disruption: an integration of cognitive activation theory and psychological contract theory dynamics (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1880/120202
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studies
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgary
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subjectPsychological Contract
dc.subjectOccupational Stress
dc.subjectSystem Dynamics
dc.subjectCognitive Activation Theory of Stress
dc.subject.classificationOccupational Health and Safety
dc.subject.classificationPsychology--Industrial
dc.subject.classificationBusiness Administration--Management
dc.titleStress in the Aftermath of Psychological Contract Disruption: An Integration of Cognitive Activation Theory and Psychological Contract Theory Dynamics
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudentI do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.
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