THE IMPACT OF WORKPLACE CYBERBULLYING ON JOB SATISFACTION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF STRESS COPING – A STUDY AMONG FEMALE NURSES

Abstract

Workplace cyberbullying is an emerging psychosocial risk in healthcare, particularly affecting female nurses who operate in high-pressure digital environments. This study explores the impact of workplace cyberbullying on job satisfaction among female nurses in the Badulla District, with a specific focus on the moderating role of stress coping strategies. Grounded in Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the research addresses a key gap in the Sri Lankan healthcare literature, where little attention has been given to how personal coping resources may buffer negative workplace experiences. A quantitative approach was employed, and data were collected from 200 female nurses selected through stratified random sampling from base and divisional hospitals. Standardized instruments were used: Doane et al.’s (2013) Cyberbullying Scale, the Brief COPE Inventory adapted from Folkman and Lazarus (1988), and Thompson and Phua’s (2012) Job Satisfaction Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS, including descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and moderated regression analysis through the PROCESS macro (Model 1), which is used to test interaction effects. Results confirmed a significant negative effect of workplace cyberbullying on job satisfaction (β = -1.0733, p < .001). Notably, stress coping moderated this relationship (interaction β = 0.2387, p < .001), suggesting that strong coping strategies can reduce, though not eliminate, the negative impact. The study provides practical implications for hospital management and HR professionals, stressing the need for interventions that reduce cyberbullying and promote effective stress coping strategies. Enhancing emotional resilience and organizational support systems can help maintain job satisfaction and workforce stability in the healthcare sector.