(In)justice in waiting: Russian officers' organizational commitment and mental distress during downsizing

The present study used the first wave of a quasi-experimental panel study o f Russian military officers (N = 1,798) to assess what happens during the w aiting period alter notification of release. Procedural, interactional, and distributive justice variables were incorporated into a model of the stres s process. Effects on organizational commitment, outcome evaluation, anxiet y, depression, and hostility were assessed. Interactional justice (Bies, 19 87)-respect shown to the departing officer-was both an effect of downsizing (leavers reported receiving greater respect than stayers perceived them to get) and a moderator of downsizing's impact (respect buffered the stress p rocess more among leavers). The negative effects of leaving were also buffe red by duration of service, but were exacerbated by combat experience.