Examining the Underlying Mechanisms and Potential Outcomes of Stress Bragging

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanisms behind stress bragging in workplaces and its impact on individuals and organizations, focusing on impression management (IM) tactics as a mediator. It posits that individuals use stress bragging to achieve desirable workplace outcomes through IM tactics. Despite its prevalence, the interplay between stress bragging and workplace outcomes remains underexplored. This research addresses this gap by examining the dualistic impacts of stress bragging—beneficial outcomes for individuals (e.g., promotability) and detrimental effects for organizations (e.g., social loafing). Additionally, it explores the moderating role of competitive work environments (CWE). The study collected temporally segregated data from employees (n = 355) across diverse industries in the USA and Canada. The findings revealed significant and positive direct effects between stress bragging and negative workplace outcomes, as well as between stress bragging and impression management (IM) tactics. Furthermore, the results provided evidence for the mediating role of IM tactics as the underlying mechanism linking stress bragging to various workplace outcomes, though the proposed moderating effects of competitive work environment (CWE) were not supported. This study is among the first to explore how stress bragging influences workplace outcomes through various IM tactics in an organizational context, offering theoretical and practical insights for navigating and managing such behaviors in the workplace.