The moderating effect of leader member exchange on the relationship between workplace ostracism and psychological distress

Purpose Based on the conservation of resources theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test the relationship between workplace ostracism and psychological distress of male employees. And depending on the leader member exchange (LMX) theory, it assumes that the relationship between workplace ostracism and psychological distress of male employees is moderated by the LMX. Design/methodology/approach For this, this study used a survey method and multiple regression analyses with multi-source data from 226 male Korean employees and their supervisors. Findings The results suggest the following. First, workplace ostracism was positively associated with job tension, emotional exhaustion and depressed moods at work for male employees. Second, there was a stronger positive relationship between workplace ostracism and job tension, or emotional exhaustion for male employees with low, as opposed to those with high, levels of LMX. Originality/value This study is the first one to examine the moderating effect of LMX on the relationship between workplace ostracism and psychological distress of male employees.