The Effect of Negative Workplace Gossip on Nurses' Turnover Intentions: The Mediating Role of Anxiety

AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between negative workplace gossip targeting individual nurses and their turnover intentions, with a specific focus on the mediating role of anxiety. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study applies affective events theory to examine how negative gossip, as an emotionally charged event, may be significantly associated with anxiety and higher turnover intentions. METHODS: Data were collected from 320 nurses working in tertiary and secondary hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Participants completed established measures assessing negative workplace gossip, anxiety and turnover intentions. Hierarchical regression analysis, bootstrapping method and supplementary structural equation modelling were used to test the hypothesised relationships and mediation effects. RESULTS: Negative workplace gossip was significantly associated with turnover intentions of targeted nurses both directly and through anxiety as a mediator. Nurses who experienced higher levels of negative gossip towards them reported increased anxiety, which was positively related to their intentions to leave. CONCLUSION: Negative workplace gossip is positively associated with anxiety and turnover intentions among targeted nurses. This study highlights the importance of addressing relational stressors within healthcare workplaces to support retention and mitigate turnover. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Participating nurses contributed by completing self-reported questionnaires.