The Affective Underpinnings of Job Perceptions and Attitudes: A Meta-Analytic Review and Integration.

Using psychometric meta-analysis, a quantitative and qualitative review of the literature relating trait and state positive affect and negative affect to job-related attitudes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and dimensions of job burnout indicates substantial correlations.

Abstract

Using psychometric meta-analysis, the authors present a quantitative and qualitative review (k = 205, total pairwise N = 62,527) of the literature relating trait and state positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) to job-related attitudes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and dimensions of job burnout. Results indicated substantial correlations, ranging in absolute value from -.17 (PA and turnover intentions; NA and personal accomplishment) to.54 (NA and emotional exhaustion). Correlational results largely were consistent across hypothesized and exploratory moderator conditions. Meta-analytic multiple regression results generally supported the unique contribution of each affect to each attitude variable of interest. Implications and suggestions for future research on emotion-related aspects of job attitudes are discussed.