Psychological contract breach, façade creation and family satisfaction: the role of diverse emotion

Purpose This study evaluated the effects of psychological contract breach (PCB) on work outcomes (i.e. facades of conformity) and family domains (i.e. spousal family satisfaction) through discrete emotions (i.e. anger, frustration and emotional exhaustion). PCB often results in employees’ negative emotional reactions and employer evaluations, influencing their work behavior and family members. Design/methodology/approach In a time-lag study, 451 full-time employees in Taiwan read a brochure outlining two different tasks: PCB manipulation and the assessment of distinct emotions, as well as façade creation. Their spouses were asked to assess family satisfaction. Findings Employees attributing their PCB experience to their supervisors or employers exhibited increased compliance, whereas their spouses reported reduced family satisfaction. Intense emotional reactions, including anger, frustration and emotional exhaustion, in response to PCB, influenced these outcomes. Therefore, emotional reactions mediate the relationship between PCB and its outcomes in the work and family domains. Research limitations/implications This study posited that the cumulative impact of a series of negative emotional reactions is a potent predictor of employees’ exchange relationships with their employers. However, this study did not explore other negative emotional effects, such as sadness, guilt, fear and anxiety, in response to PCB, as these were beyond the scope of this study. Future studies should investigate employees’ additional affective or psychological reactions. Practical implications Employees experiencing PCB likely respond with anger, frustration and emotional exhaustion, leading to increased façades of conformity and decreased satisfaction with spousal relationships. Organizations should honor their commitments to employees to facilitate employee retention and enable effective responses to challenging work situations. Originality/value This study establishes the serial mediation effect of PCB on the façades of conformity and family satisfaction. Employers should address PCB-related concerns and implement preventive measures within their organizations.