Supervisor Workplace Stress and Abusive Supervision: The Buffering Effect of Exercise

In a matched sample of 98 employed individuals and their direct supervisors, we examine how supervisor-rated stress is associated with employee-rated abusive supervision. In addition, we explore how supervisor exercise influences the relationship between supervisor stress and abusive supervision. Results of the study demonstrate that increased levels of supervisor-reported stress are related to the increased experience of employee-rated abusive supervision. We also find that higher levels of supervisor exercise reduces employee perceptions of abusive supervision in response to supervisor stress.