Burnout Mediates the Association between Workplace Bullying and Mental Health Problems of Health Practitioners in Cancer Units

Farzana Ashraf; Shahnila  Tariq; Rabia  Farooqi; Masha  Asad Khan; Mark D.  Griffiths; Faramarz  Asanjarani

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i1.14692

Farzana Ashraf Department of Humanities, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Shahnila Tariq Department of Applied Psychology, University of Management & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Rabia Farooqi Department of Psychology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Masha Asad Khan Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences, Kinnard College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
Mark D. Griffiths Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Faramarz Asanjarani Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i1.14692

Keywords: Workplace bullying; Burnout; Medical health practitioners; Depression; Stress; Anxiety

Abstract

Background: Medical health practitioners, particularly those working in cancer units, are vulnerable to poor psychological outcomes. The present study was designed to examine the influence of workplace bullying on the mental health of medical and paramedical staff by testing workplace burnout as a mediating factor.

Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, 220 Muslim medical staff officers from the cancer units of three hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, were assessed for workplace bullying, mental health, and workplace burnout using the standardized psychometric measures (i.e., Negative Act Questionnaire; Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; and Maslach Burnout Inventory). Data were collected from 2019-2020.

Results: Workplace bullying and workplace burnout were directly related to mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Moreover, workplace burnout significantly mediated the paths between workplace bullying and mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms), suggesting that workplace burnout increases vulnerability to other mental health issues.

Conclusion: A need for counseling and suitable management strategies to support medical staff working in cancer units is required.