Vierstraete, Ghislaine (2025) Interpersonal Deviance Among Co-Workers: The Role of Targets’ Psychological Characteristics in Perceived Targeting. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Interpersonal deviance (i.e., low-intensity, interpersonally harmful behaviour that violates social norms of mutual respect) remains a persistent challenge in organizational settings, with significant implications for employee well-being and organizational functioning. Although prior research has largely focused on identifying the characteristics of the instigators of such behaviour, less attention has been paid to whether target characteristics affect how targets experience such behaviour. This study adopts a novel perspective by investigating which psychological characteristics make employees more susceptible to feeling targeted by subtle deviant acts from co-workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 working adults to examine the role of self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal deviance instigation as psychological predictors of perceived targeting. Personal sense of power was included as a potential mediator in these relationships. The results indicate that higher selfesteem is associated with reduced perceptions of being targeted. Additionally, employees who frequently engage in deviant behaviour also report higher levels of perceived deviance from co-workers, highlighting the reciprocal and cyclical nature of subtle forms of interpersonal deviance. These findings underscore the fluidity of instigator–target roles and emphasize the need for early organizational interventions. Providing employees with tools to regulate emotions and communicate effectively may help prevent the escalation of deviant behaviour and reduce its harmful impact.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Barelds, D.P.H. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Sep 2025 11:06 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Sep 2025 11:06 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5952 |
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