Job Insecurity as a Mediator Linking Work-place Bullying and Emotional Exhaustion: Religion as a Moderator Among Thailand Employees

Abstract

Academically, despite the widespread acknowledgment of workplace bullying (WPB) as a significant contributor to health-related issues, detailed exploration of this relationship remains limited in scholarly literature. This study aims to address this gap by examining both direct and indirect associations between WPB and emotional exhaustion (EEx). Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of religion in buffering the impact of job insecurity (JIS) on EEx. Employing a quantitative approach, data was collected from 110 employees in Thailand, analysed using Smart PLS. The study utilized a two-stage model, treating WPB as a higher-order construct through manifest indicators. Results indicate significant positive relationships between WPB and both JIS and EEx, with WPB also exerting a significant indirect effect on EEx through JIS. Furthermore, the study reveals that religion moderates the link between JIS and EEx. Methodologically, the research relied on self-reported measures, posing potential issues related to common method variance (CMV). The findings suggest that HR practitioners should prioritize addressing EEx and JIS among employees affected by WPB, emphasizing the prevention of unjust job alterations and encouraging regular religious engagement as a potential protective factor for mental health. This research contributes to understanding and addressing EEx, JIS, and WPB within organizational contexts, offering implications for future research and organizational interventions.