The Role of Daily LMX Quality and Attachment Orientations in the Daily Workload-Emotional Strain Relationship

Abstract In response to the call to integrate two separate streams of research, on the relations between daily job stressors and well-being, and on the relations between daily leader-member exchange (LMX) fluctuations and well-being, this study analyzed the mediating role of daily LMX quality in the daily relationship between workload and emotional strain. In addition, we examined whether insecure attachment orientations moderate the relationships between workload and LMX quality, and LMX quality and emotional strain at the day- and person-level. Employees ( N = 339) completed daily surveys over ten working days. Results support an indirect effect of daily LMX quality on the daily workload-emotional strain relationship when attachment anxiety and avoidance are high. Attachment avoidance moderates the daily relationship between workload and LMX, such that a higher than usual daily workload worsens daily LMX quality for employees high in attachment avoidance. The person-level moderator effect for attachment anxiety implies that the LMX quality of employees with high attachment anxiety worsens, when workload is higher than the average sample workload. Attachment anxiety also moderates the daily relationship between LMX quality and negative emotions, such that employees high in attachment anxiety experience more negative emotions on workdays with lower LMX quality. In summary, we integrate and contribute to day-level research on LMX and well-being, by showing that LMX quality plays a decisive role in the stressor-strain process of insecurely attached employees. Our findings also add to day-level research on LMX and well-being by identifying two conditions that hinder daily LMX relationship quality: workload and attachment orientations.