The Impact of Abusive Supervision and Constituent Attachment on Entry-Level Employee Turnover

The present study extends the body of research on turnover by examining the impact of abusive supervision on turnover in the context of entry-level hospitality employees, drawing on conservation of resources theory as an overarching theoretical lens. In addition, this research examined moderators in the abusive supervision–turnover relationship, specifically constituent attachment and employee age. With a sample of 980 restaurant front-of-house employees, data on abusive supervision, constituent attachment, and age were used to predict turnover over a 6-month period via logistic regression. Abusive supervision increased turnover among the sample overall. However, the effect was stronger for younger employees. In addition, constituent attachment increased the likelihood of turnover for younger employees who experienced greater abusive supervision. The present study serves to validate the adverse impact of abusive supervision on turnover along with factors that may strengthen or attenuate its impact.