Abstract

The current study investigated the influence of age-related constructs on the psychological contract and its relationships
with continuance and normative commitment. It was proposed that as people age, their future time perspective (FTP)
decreases. Consequently, it was expected that contract fulfilment would be positively related to continuance
commitment for workers with short FTP, while it would be positively related to normative commitment for workers
with long FTP. Conversely, it was argued that, with age, workers’ perceived work-related expertise increases, resulting
in stronger reactions to obligation fulfilment on normative commitment. A study among 334 employees showed that
FTP and work-related expertise indeed moderated the relationships between contract fulfilment and organizational
commitment. The results showed that the influence of age on the relations between contract fulfilment with outcomes is
dependent upon FTP and occupational expertise. The study shows the value of a lifespan perspective on psychological
contracts and their relations with organizational commitment.