Should I stay, or should I quit? The effect of bullying, emotional exhaustion and work engagement in public healthcare workers: a latent profile analysis.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify profiles of workplace bullying, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement in a sample of public healthcare workers in Italy. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources Model, we explored how job demands (quantitative demands, perceived injustice, and role conflict), job resources (quality of the work environment, career development, horizontal and vertical trust, social support), and personal resources (self-efficacy, and passion for work), predict these profiles. In addition, we examined how the identified profiles relate to organisational and personal outcomes (physical and psychological symptoms, intention to quit, performance, and job satisfaction). 624 healthcare workers completed an online survey and latent profiles analysis were performed to identify profiles. Latent factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were performed. Results allowed the identification of four profiles (Balanced, Engaged, Bullied Not Stressed, and Bullied & Stressed), which differed significantly in job demands, resources and outcomes. Our findings highlight the complexity of public healthcare workers’ experiences and provide evidence for strategic interventions aimed at optimising working conditions to enhance both employee wellbeing and organisational effectiveness. Understanding workplace experiences through a person-centered lens allows for more tailored strategies to support staff wellbeing and performance in high-pressure environments such as public healthcare.