Negative workplace behavior and coping strategies among nurses: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Occupational Health Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Negative workplace behaviors, including bullying and incivility, are prevalent issues affecting nurses globally.
• Understanding these behaviors in non-metropolitan acute care settings is crucial for improving nurse well-being and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the types and prevalence of negative workplace behaviors experienced by nurses in regional Australian hospitals.
• To explore the coping mechanisms employed by nurses facing workplace bullying and incivility.
• To identify the organizational and systemic factors contributing to these negative behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 74 nurses from four regional Australian hospitals.
• Utilized a structured questionnaire including the Negative Acts Questionnaire - Revised and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire.
• Assessed exposure to bullying, incivility, policy awareness, and coping strategies.

Main Results:

• 34% of nurses reported experiencing bullying, and 49% reported incivility in the preceding month.
• Work-related bullying, such as excessive workloads and withheld information, was the most common form.
• Nurses employed problem-focused coping and sought social support.

Conclusions:

• Negative workplace behaviors in nursing extend beyond individual interactions, stemming from organizational management and systemic factors.
• Interventions should address both individual coping strategies and broader organizational issues to mitigate workplace negativity.