Impact of workplace incivility on choice of coping strategies: A mixed method study

Abstract

This research drew upon a mixed-method approach to gain further insight into workplace incivility and its impact on an employee’s preferred choice of coping strategies (Avoidant Coping, Task Focused Coping, and Emotion Focused Coping). Utilizing a convenience sampling approach, data was collected from working adults that were employed in companies within the United Arab Emirates for a period of at least 6 months (N = 151). Three simple linear regressions and an inductive thematic analysis were conducted to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative findings revealed that workplace incivility significantly predicted avoidant coping as well as emotion focused coping. The complementary thematic analysis further revealed that employees who were a target of incivility were negatively impacted and often looked to trusted confidants to share their experiences with. The results of this study hope to be used as a base for developing intervention initiatives in organizations to prevent workplace incivility from escalating to more aggressive forms of behavior by providing employees with the support needed to better cope and address such situations. Implementing programs such as mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral stress management, and proactive coping interventions are recommended to better support employees in the workplace.

Keywords:

• Coping
• incivility
• job performance
• work stress

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Lynda Hyland and Dr. Nishtha Lamba for providing valuable insights into qualitative data analysis, and Ms. Denise Andrzejewski and Ms. Liana D’souza for valuable edits.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the first author, [BH]. The data are not publicly available due to containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants.