A time lagged study of burnout as a mediator in the relationship between workplace bullying and work–family conflict.


Using 3-wave time lagged field data (N = 151) from full-time employees, we examined how workplace bullying manifests as work–family conflict (WFC) through job burnout. Coping with the demands of work and family requires energy-related resources that allow one to plan and execute strategies in a manner that encourages a balance between the two. Therefore, drawing on conservation of resources theory, we hypothesize that workplace bullying can lead to job burnout, which in turn can drain the energy resources of individuals and cause greater work–family conflict. The findings provide good support for our hypotheses. WB was positively related to burnout and WFC, burnout was positively related to WFC, and burnout mediated the bullying–WFC relationship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)