Personality and abusive supervision: A study on leadership in the healthcare industry in China

Relationship between abusive supervision and supervisors´ personality dimensions (measured with the Big-Five Personality Inventory) were examined with data obtained from subordinate-supervisor dyads from 59 Healthcare Centers for Community located in the north of China. Results of correlation analysis revealed that supervisors´ neuroticism was positively (r = .40, p<;;.01), whereas extraversion (r = -.28, p<;;.05), agreeableness (r = -.62, p<;;.01) and conscientiousness (r = -.45, p<;;.01) were negatively related to abusive supervision. Results of regression analysis revealed that agreeableness was negatively (β = -.52, p<;;.01) and neuroticism (β = .27, p<;;.10) was positively related to abusive supervision, whereas extraversion (β = .13, ns) and conscientiousness (β = -.06, ns) were unrelated to abusive supervision (when statistically controlling for demographics and other Big-Five personality dimensions). Implications for future investigation and for leadership practice are discussed.