Can Emotional Stability Congruence Promote Subordinates’ Thriving at Work? A Dual-pathway Analysis Based on Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the theories of person-environment fit and conservation of resources, this study constructs a theoretical model of how leader-subordinate emotional stability congruence influences subordinates’ thriving at work. Additionally, it discusses the mediating roles of LMX and work stress in this process. By collecting paired data from 68 leaders and 267 subordinates across three time points, cross-level polynomial regression and response surface analysis are employed for data analysis. The results indicate: (1) When leaders and subordinates have congruent emotional stability, higher emotional stability of leaders is associated with stronger thriving at work experienced by subordinates. When leaders and subordinates differ in emotional stability, higher emotional stability among subordinates is more conducive to thriving at work. (2) LMX and work stress constitute two pathways through which emotional stability congruence influences thriving at work. Emotional stability congruence affects the learning and vitality dimensions of subordinates’ thriving at work through LMX, while also influencing the vitality dimension through work stress. This study explores the mechanism of thriving at work from the perspective of trait congruence, providing insights and directions for future research on how leader-subordinate trait interactions affect employee thriving at work.

Key words: thriving at work, supervisor-subordinate fit, emotional stability, response surface analysis

Li Chaoping, Yu Boxiang, Bao Yuanjie, Wang Jiesuo. Can Emotional Stability Congruence Promote Subordinates’ Thriving at Work? A Dual-pathway Analysis Based on Response Surface Methodology[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(2): 173-185.

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