The moderating role of social support on the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress among public school teachers in South Africa
type: CreativeWork
description: Workplace bullying is a global phenomenon that presents physical and psychological consequences for its victims, such as psychological distress. The study sought to identify the effect of workplace bullying on the psychological distress experienced by public school teachers. The sample consisted of 87 public school teachers located in South Africa. Firstly, the study explored the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress through correlational analyses, followed by an analysis of the relationship between social support and psychological distress. The findings indicated that a significant positive relationship exists between workplace bullying, particularly from colleagues, and psychological distress among teachers. Additionally, the study revealed a significant negative relationship between psychological distress and social support. Finally, the study explored the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress. The analysis indicated that social support does not moderate the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress. The limitations of the study are acknowledged, and the practical and theoretical implications, and recommendations for future research, are discussed.
abstract: Workplace bullying is a global phenomenon that presents physical and psychological consequences for its victims, such as psychological distress. The study sought to identify the effect of workplace bullying on the psychological distress experienced by public school teachers. The sample consisted of 87 public school teachers located in South Africa. Firstly, the study explored the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress through correlational analyses, followed by an analysis of the relationship between social support and psychological distress. The findings indicated that a significant positive relationship exists between workplace bullying, particularly from colleagues, and psychological distress among teachers. Additionally, the study revealed a significant negative relationship between psychological distress and social support. Finally, the study explored the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress. The analysis indicated that social support does not moderate the relationship between workplace bullying and psychological distress. The limitations of the study are acknowledged, and the practical and theoretical implications, and recommendations for future research, are discussed.
author: Pearce, Iman
language: en
keywords: Workplace bullying, Psychological distress, Social support, Public school teachers, South Africa
date published: 2025
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:22:51Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Organisational Psychology

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41885