My main research interests focus on the work environment, a domain where most individuals spend a large proportion of their lives. I’m particularly interested in employees working in traditional and non-traditional professions and the way they react to the perception of disadvantage.
These interests have led to several collaborations during my doctoral studies at the University of Ottawa, which were aimed at understanding, for example: 1) psychological disengagement (a strategy that may be used by workers in response to perceptions of disadvantage), as well as its precursors, consequences and moderators; and 2) ageism and ageist communication aimed at experienced workers.
Some of my current work will seek to apply acculturation models (for example, Bourhis et al., 1997) and collective identity clarity theory (Taylor, 1997, 2002) to the work environment, by studying the intersection of professional identity and gender identity. By understanding the integration of these potentially conflicting identities, I hope to 1) gain an understanding of why certain group members choose to react overtly to perceived disadvantage (i.e., protests) while others choose more covert types of reactions (i.e., psychological disengagement), and 2) identify the situations and strategies leading to optimal well-being at work for individuals in non-traditional fields.
Email: joelle.laplante@gmail.comSelected publications:
Laplante, J., & Tougas, F. (in press). La privation relative et le niveau d’identification comme déclencheurs du désengagement psychologique : une étude exploratoire auprès d’éducatrices. Cahiers internationaux de psychologie sociale.
Laplante, J., Tougas, F., Beaton, A.M., & Bellehumeur, C. R. (2011). Psychological disengagement as a silent response to perceived (present and future) sex-based disadvantage among female office workers. European Review of Applied Psychology, 61, 223-230.
Laplante, J., Tougas, F., & Kocum, L. (2011, June). Moderators of the relationship between psychological disengagement and self-esteem: a meta-analysis. Poster presented at the 72nd Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association. Toronto (Ontario), Canada.
Laplante, J., Tougas, F., Lagacé, M., & Bellehumeur, C. (2010). Facilitators and moderators of psychological disengagement among older workers: The contribution of group status, meaning of work and collective self-esteem. The International Journal of Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations, 10(1), 195-208.
Laplante, J., Tougas, F., Lagacé, M., & Lortie-Lussier, M. (2009). Infantilisées et contrôlées : le sort des travailleuses séniores ? Vie et vieillissement, 7(2), 15-22.