Effect of workplace incivility on nurses’ health outcomes: a cross-sectional study

Workplace incivility is increasingly recognized as a key occupational stressor in nursing. However, few studies have explored its independent association with nurse health after adjustment for established psychosocial work characteristics. This study examined the associations of workplace incivility from colleagues and supervisors with nurses’ self-rated health, burnout, and mental health status after adjusting for job control, psychological job demands, and workplace justice. This cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2022 at a medical center in northern Taiwan. Full-time registered nurses completed a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 900 valid responses were analyzed (response rate, 84.0%). The questionnaire assessed workplace incivility from colleagues and supervisors, personal burnout, mental health status, self-rated health, and psychosocial work characteristics (job control, psychological job demands, and workplace justice). The chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine potential associations between workplace incivility and health outcomes after adjustment for demographic and psychosocial work characteristics. The prevalence of poor mental health, high personal burnout, and poor self-rated health was higher in nurses with high incivility exposure than in those with low incivility exposure (51.8% vs. 30.0%, 55.3% vs. 40.1%, and 20.4% vs. 11.9%, respectively). After adjustment for psychosocial work characteristics and demographic factors, high workplace incivility remained significantly associated with poor mental health, high personal burnout, and poor self-rated health. High psychological job demands were also significantly associated with increased risks of personal burnout, poor mental health, and poor self-rated health. Workplace incivility appears to be significantly associated with adverse health outcomes in nurses, independent of psychosocial work characteristics and demographic factors. Furthermore, high psychological job demands may be significantly associated with personal burnout, poor mental health, and poor self-rated health in nurses. The findings highlight workplace incivility as a key occupational health problem in nursing. Strategies to address workplace incivility and psychological job demands and promote a healthier work environment may support nurses’ mental health and overall well-being. This study may guide nurse managers and policymakers in developing organizational strategies to support workplace health and safety.