Workplace Bullying and Job Attitudes: The Moderating Role of Coping Strategies

Workplace Bullying and Job Attitudes: The Moderating Role of Coping Strategies

There are few theoretical studies and hence very little understanding of the underlying mechanism through which workplace bullying impacts employee attitudes (job satisfaction and affective commitment), health and well-being, and behaviors. The current study adopted the stress-coping theory framework at the individual level, which casts workplace bullying as a negative stressor that motivates an individual to expend cognitive and behavioral energy in order to cope. When coping is not successful, the stress from workplace bullying continues and leads to negative consequences on affective states and attitudes. This study specifically examined the moderating role of coping strategies in the relationship between exposure to workplace bullying and job attitudes. Findings suggest that exposure to workplace bullying negatively impacts job satisfaction and affective commitment. Coping strategies play a very limited moderator role in the relationship between exposure to workplace bullying and job attitudes. Instead, coping strategies directly relate to job attitudes above and beyond the exposure to workplace bullying. Theoretical and intervention implications are discussed.