Abusive Managers/Supervisors' Impact on the Psychological Capital of Employees

Abstract

Workplace bullying is a severe, violent, and pervasive issue present across the industry worldwide. Typically defined as interpersonal mistreatment that is more severe than incivility, it is a complex, deliberate, and maladaptive group of harmful actions towards individuals and creates oppressive work environments. Bullying can range from derogatory comments towards a target to social isolation and physical violence. Individuals typically evolve into the perpetrator role due to low self-esteem, dark personality traits, and anger management difficulties. Harassment and abusive incivility by managers and supervisors directed towards employees are associated with severe adverse and long-term outcomes, including psychological trauma, mental health disorders, and in extreme cases, suicide. The prevalence of workplace bullying ranges between 10-20% in multiple domains and cultures. When considering the economic, psychological, and health costs of incivility in the workplace, the epidemic of workplace bullying requires comprehensive prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies.