Abstract
Background: Workplace bullying constitutes a negative interaction, that owing to its frequency and duration, leads targets to an inferior position, having several effects on the targets. Personality interacts with workplace factors in the development of aggression, appearing in some cases as vulnerability, which is expressed in perceptions and behavior and in some cases in coping with rumination. Objectives: This study, on the one hand, aimed to detect the presence of not only the antecedents of such vulnerability but also the protective factors in the personal history of people who experience workplace bullying. On the other hand, it aimed to understand how workplace bullying activates the said vulnerability, so that the association between the antecedents and their effects could be determined. Methods: The study sample consisted of 108 people who had reported being victims of workplace bullying. Most of them were of Spanish origin (84%); women comprised 78% of the study participants, and the average age of this group was 47 years (SD = 9.07). Correlations, hierarchical regressions, multiple mediations, and a moderated mediation model were used to determine the said association, as well as its indirect effects. The results described a relation between antecedents and effects. Maternal cognition predicts memory recall. A high attainment level constitutes a protective factor from psychological discomfort in targets of workplace bullying. Implications: Promoting access to education and the search for elevation attainment, especially in women, will enhance executive function and act as a preventive measure for psychological discomfort.
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The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study can be taken from the corresponding author upon making a reasonable request. The share data will guarantee the privacy of each of the participants in this study.
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To Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez, Marta Herrero and Ignacio (Nacho) Serván for your support, suggestions and help during the development of this paper. To all reviewers, your comments and suggestions made me improve my work.
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Quiun, L. An approach to the etiology of effects in targets of workplace bullying. Curr Psychol 43, 5640–5651 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04769-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04769-w