Family incivility and organisational citizenship behaviour: roles of negative rumination, workplace friendship and optimism

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the relationship between family incivility and employees' organisational citizenship behaviour. It also explores the mediating role of negative rumination and the moderating roles of workplace friendship and optimism.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesised relationships, 381 responses were collected from employees at two-time points. The hypothesised relationships were tested using process macros.

Findings

The results indicated that family incivility is negatively related to organisational citizenship behaviour and increases negative rumination. The study also established the mediating role of negative rumination in the relationship between family incivility and organisational citizenship behaviour. The study also supported the buffering role of workplace friendship and optimism in the relationship between family incivility and negative rumination.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings extend the understanding of how a non-work stressor can influence employee behaviour in the organisation. The study findings provide valuable directions to mitigate family incivility's adverse effects and extend the existing body of knowledge.

Originality/value

The study is unique as it links family events to work outcomes. Only a few scholarly attempts were undertaken to understand the effect of family incivility on employees' work behaviours. By explaining the mechanism and conditions, the study has a unique value to the scholarship.

Citation

Kuriakose, V. and Bishwas, S.K. (2024), "Family incivility and organisational citizenship behaviour: roles of negative rumination, workplace friendship and optimism", Evidence-based HRM, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 782-798. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBHRM-09-2022-0220