A meta-analysis of the correlates of role conflict and ambiguity

Suggests that the correlational literature concerning the relationships of role conflict and ambiguity to numerous hypothesized antecedents and consequences is still somewhat unclear after a decade of research. In the present study, meta-analysis procedures developed by F. L. Schmidt and J. E. Hunter and J. E. Hunter et al (1982) were applied to the results of 43 previous studies in an effort to draw valid conclusions about the magnitude and direction of these relationships in the population. For some correlates, apparently inconsistent research results could be ascribed largely to statistical artifacts. For other correlates, it seems that moderator research may be needed to explain conflicting results across samples.