The Mediating Role of Work-Family Conflict in the Association between Burnout and Workplace Bullying among workers

Abstract

The study examined the mediating role of work-to-family conflict in the relationship between burnout and workplace bullying among 287 workers in tertiary institutions in the southeastern part of Nigeria. The participants completed the Work-Family Conflict Scale, the Negative Acts Questionnaire, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The study design was cross-sectional. Mediated analysis was used to analyse the data. The results revealed that burnout predicted workplace bullying (β = .26, p < .001). The relationship between workto-family conflict and bullying was marginally significant (β = .12, p < .09), but there was no significant indirect relationship between burnout and workplace bullying. However, family-to-work conflict significantly predicted workplace bullying (β = .25, p < .001) and had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between burnout and workplace bullying (β = .06, 95% CI = (.02, .11). In other words, employees struggling with family demands may be more susceptible to workplace bullying. This will further exacerbate the reduced capacity for workplace social defense. The study recommends that burnout programs and family-friendly policies will reduce workplace bullying.