Defensive Communication and Burnout in the Workplace: The Mediating Role of Leader–Member Exchange

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between defensive communication in performance appraisal settings by considering the mediating effect of leader–member exchange relationships. In a study of employees of a US federal fire department, defensive communication was associated with lower quality leader–member exchange relationships, which in turn was related to burnout. We discuss the implications of these findings, particularly as they apply to organizations and their employees, as well as limitations and directions for future research.

Keywords:

• Defensive Communication
• Leader–Member Exchange
• Burn Out
• Perfomance Appraisal

Notes

Jennifer A. H. Becker (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. Jonathon R. B. Halbesleben (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Management and Informatics at the University of Missouri. H. Dan O'Hair (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma.

A previous version of this manuscript was presented to the Organizational Communication Division at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Miami Beach, FL, November 20–23, 2003. Special thanks to Sandra Ragan for her suggestions, as well as the employees and managers who participated in this research.

We recognize that one potentially could argue for alternative ordering of the variables in this study. Based on our review of the literature, we believe that the ordering of defensive communication, then leader–member exchange, then burnout is most likely and best reflects actual processes. To test ordering of the variables, we conducted supplemental mediated regression analyses using alternative orders of the variables. Only the proposed ordering was supported by those statistical tests. For the sake of brevity, the results of the supplemental data analyses for alternative models are not included. They are available by contacting the first author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

H. Dan O'Hair

Jennifer A. H. Becker (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. Jonathon R. B. Halbesleben (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Management and Informatics at the University of Missouri. H. Dan O'Hair (PhD, University of Oklahoma) is Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma. A previous version of this manuscript was presented to the Organizational Communication Division at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Miami Beach, FL, November 20–23, 2003. Special thanks to Sandra Ragan for her suggestions, as well as the employees and managers who participated in this research.