The effects of diversity climate on the work attitudes of refugee employees: The mediating role of psychological capital and moderating role of ethnic identity

This article examines the psychological processes through which diversity climate influences the work attitudes of refugee employees in Australia, and the conditional effects of ethnic identity on the relationship between diversity climate and work attitudes. Drawing on survey data from 135 refugees in employment in Australia, diversity climate was found to positively influence the affective organizational commitment of refugee employees through enhancing their psychological capital. The influence of diversity climate on both affective organizational commitment and turnover intentions through psychological capital was also found to be stronger when employees identify more with their ethnic group (ethnic identity). These findings are consistent with the predictions of conservation of resources theory (COR) and rejection sensitivity theory. •Perceptions of diversity climate were positively related to refugees' psychological capital.•Psychological capital mediated the diversity climate/organizational commitment relationship.•Ethnic identity strengthened refugees' responses to diversity climate.