Turning pain into gain: The effect of downward mobbing on employees' stress-related growth

The present thesis investigates the effect of downward mobbing on employee's stress-related growth with the mediator role of burnout, and the moderator role of personality hardiness and coworker support. Data were collected from 367 employees (177 females, 186 males) through Amazon Mturk. Self-report measures were administered to participants who have been exposed to mobbing by their supervisor/ manager in at least one of their previous work experiences. Moderated mediation analysis suggested that burnout mediates the relationship between mobbing and stress-related growth where burnout and growth were negatively associated. Co-worker support appeared as a significant but inadequate moderator to promote growth. Post hoc analysis suggested that there is a curvilinear relationship between burnout and growth, and hardiness is a significant – but insufficient – moderator in the direct relationship. Implications for science and practice will be discussed.