The role of work stressors, coping strategies and coping resources in the process of workplace bullying: A systematic review and development of a comprehensive model
Abstract Both work and person related factors may trigger workplace bullying. Work related factors, such as role stressors, can create a stressful work environment leading to bullying. Additionally, person related factors, such as emotion focused coping, could make employees more vulnerable to bullying. In this study, we aimed to develop a comprehensive model integrating these factors. We systematically reviewed studies published between 1984 and 2014. First, we identified the most relevant work related stressors (role conflict, workload, role ambiguity, job insecurity and cognitive demands) as predictors of being a target of workplace bullying. Second, problem focused and emotion focused coping strategies that may moderate the association between stressors and targets of bullying were identified. Third, coping resources that are associated with coping strategies were indicated. Results suggested a model in which reappraisal coping, confrontive coping, practical coping, direct coping, active coping, social support (problem focused coping) and self care (emotion focused coping) decrease the association between work stressors and bullying (i.e. buffer effect) Wishful thinking, emotional coping, avoidance, recreation, social support and suppression (emotion focused coping) increase this association (i.e. boost effect) Coping resources (locus of control, self efficacy, optimism, co workers support, supervisor support, task complexity, participation in decision making, autonomy and continuance commitment) related positively to problem focused coping strategies and negatively to emotion focused coping strategies.