Linking abusive supervision to service sabotage through work alienation in nurses: A cross-sectional study

Background: Abusive supervision has detrimental effects on nurses, but the mechanisms connecting abusive supervision to negative outcomes for nurses have not been well-established in the nursing literature. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether work alienation mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and nurses' service sabotage. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2021 with 204 nurses working at a teaching hospital in Damanhour, Egypt. Data were collected using a demographic information form, the Abusive Supervision Scale, the Work Alienation Scale and the Service Sabotage Scale. Study hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modelling. Results: Our findings revealed a significant association between abusive supervision, work alienation, and service sabotage among nurses. Abusive supervision was found to be linked to nurses' service sabotage through work alienation. Conclusion: Our study suggests that nurses who are subject to abusive supervision are more likely to feel alienated, which increases the probability of them engaging in behaviours that have a negative impact on the quality of care they provide. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.