Investigating workplace bullying: A mediated-moderation study of burnout and turnover intention

Abstract

Orientation: Workplace bullying remains a problem that has a significant impact on the well-being and professional outcomes of doctors.

Research purpose: This study is conducted to evaluate how workplace bullying can affect job burnout and turnover intention (TI) in the health sector, especially for resident doctors, by considering their perception of meaningful work.

Motivation for the study: While extensive research has examined workplace bullying, studies exploring its impact on doctors or examining how meaningful work can mitigate the negative impact is still limited.

Research approach/design and method: A total of 230 resident doctors in Medan, North Sumatra, were selected as respondents using a purposive sampling method (response rate: 76.67%). Data were collected by distributing online questionnaires using Google Forms, whereafter they were processed using conditional process analysis via SPSS macro-PROCESS.

Main findings: TI in resident doctors can be influenced by workplace bullying and job burnout, and job burnout mediates the influence of workplace bullying on TI. The negative influence of workplace bullying on TI through job burnout can be weaker when resident doctors feel that their work is meaningful.

Practical/managerial implications: These findings underscore the importance of addressing workplace bullying and fostering a sense of meaningful work to improve the well-being and retention of doctors working in the health sector.

Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the role of meaningful work in mitigating the detrimental impact of bullying and burnout on Tis in the healthcare sector.