Publication Date
2021
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Finkelstein, Lisa M.
Degree Name
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
Legacy Department
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Incivility can be selectively targeted at employees with minority group memberships, undermining attempts to mitigate diversity initiatives. Thus, selective incivility can target older workers and lead to negative repercussions for the employee. In this dissertation, I theoretically discern between selective incivility toward older workers and age discrimination. This study explored the experience of daily selective incivility for older workers. The study found evidence that the relationship between age and incivility was not linear, suggesting that both older and younger workers experience incivility more often than middle-aged workers. Further, there is evidence that incivility is associated with the affective reactions of threat and challenge and behaviors of conflict and avoidance. There was also evidence that age moderates the relationship between incivility and threat suggesting that when younger employees experience incivility, they are more likely to react with threat. Finally, there is evidence that core self-evaluations, social support, age group identification, subjective age, and vitality affect the relationships between threat and challenge and conflict and avoidance, providing a buffering effect to save resources. These findings are discussed considering selective incivility theory and the interpersonal ramifications of experiencing incivility. Practical recommendations towards trainings and interventions are discussed based on the mechanisms of threat and challenge.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Courtney L., "Understanding Subtle Age Discrimination: investigations into The Daily Effects of Selective incivility Based on Age" (2021). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7726.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7726
Extent
207 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
