Leader-Member Exchange and Stress: The Mediating Role of Job Involvement and Role Conflict

Abstract

Research examining the influence of leader-member exchange (LMX) on employee outcomes is plentiful. However, research exploring the negative consequences of high-quality LMX relationships has been limited. This research posits, tests, and then replicates a model in which role conflict and job involvement mediate the relationship between LMX and stress. Results from a sample of 418 organizational employees of a water management district indicate that both role conflict and job involvement partially mediate the relationship between LMX and stress. Additionally, both role conflict and job involvement were found to fully mediate the relationship between LMX and stress in a sample of 134 employees from a state lottery commission. Strengths, limitations, practical implications, and directions for future research also are presented.