Workplace Bullying and Turnover Intention Among Dental Hygienists: Mediation roles of stress and social support

Abstract

Purpose Workplace bullying is defined as a pattern of abusive behavior that negatively impacts an employee’s well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of workplace bullying (WPB) among dental hygienists (DHs) and mediation/moderation relationships between stress, social support, and turnover intention.

Methods Cross-sectional survey research was used with a convenience sample of DHs providing direct patient care (n=378). The validated Negative Acts Questionnaire – Revised (NAQ-R), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Turnover Intention Scale (TIS) instruments were used for the 62 item electronic survey. Analysis included descriptive, correlation, and mediation/moderation statistics.

Results Survey completion was 55% (n=209); 56% of respondents reported experiencing workplace bullying. Stress significantly mediated the relationship between both work-related bullying (WRB) and person-related bullying (PRB) with turnover intention. For WRB, significant paths included: WRB to stress (B=.52, p<.001), stress to turnover intention (B=.23, p<.001), and WRB directly to turnover intention (B=.58, p<.001), with an indirect effect of (B=−.265, p<.001). Similarly, for PRB: PRB to stress (B=.44, p<.001), stress to turnover intention (B=.29, p<.001), and PRB directly to turnover intention (B=.55, p<.001), with an indirect effect of (B=−.244, p<.001). Supportive relationships showed no moderating effect on the relationship between WPB and turnover intention.

Conclusions Workplace bullying increased stress which also increased the intention to leave a job. Management staff in dental settings must work to prevent and manage WPB to reduce stress and retain DHs.