The effect of workplace bullying on burnout: the mediating role of affective well-being

Neuza Ribeiro, Ana Suzete Semedo, Daniel Gomes, Rita Bernardino, Sharda Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the impact of workplace bullying on employees’ burnout by investigating the mediating effect of affective well-being (AWB). Design/methodology/approach: Data of 532 employees from diverse organizations in Portugal were collected. These data were collected using anonymously completed structured questionnaires available online. Findings: The results support the research hypotheses proposed, confirming that workplace bullying is related to both AWB and burnout. Moreover, affective workplace bullying partially mediates the relationship between workplace bullying and burnout, indicating that the victims have their AWB reduced, and, consequently, increase their burnout levels. Practical implications: The findings suggest that organizations can foster employees’ AWB and reduce the level of burnout by encouraging organizations to develop preventive policies and practices to safeguard against bullying at work. Originality/value: To this date, only a few studies have examined mediating and moderating variables (Nielsen and Einersen, 2018) and none include AWB as a mediator of the relationship between workplace bullying and burnout. This study answers the call for further empirical research from those who have argued that more information is needed to understand the workplace bullying phenomenon and contributes to the growing debate on this topic and its effects on employees.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)824-840
Number of pages17
JournalManagement Research Review
Volume45
Issue number6
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Affective well-being
  • Burnout
  • Mediation
  • Negative acts
  • Organizational behavior
  • Organizations
  • Workplace bullying

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