Affiliations: Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA | Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Meridith Pease Selden, Wilkes
University, 84 W South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, USA. Tel.: +1 570 408 4568;
Fax: +1 570 408 7871; E-mail: meridith.selden@wilkes.edu
Abstract: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to define a comprehensive
construct, workplace hostility, encompassing sub-areas of harmful workplace
behaviors. Key characteristics include: perception of the target, persistence,
intentionality, nonphysical nature, and organizational affiliation. Participants: Pilot study participants (N=42, students and N=35,
workers) were small convenience samples. Main study participants (N=393,
70% female) were working individuals and almost 50% reported 1 to 5 years
in their current jobs. Methods: The two pilot studies collected were
surveys face-to-face. The main study used on-line surveys. Results: Based on the pilot studies, items from the Workplace Hostility Inventory (WHI) were
judged as a reasonable set. Results from the main study suggested three
subscales related to perceptions of being subjected to hostility: interference
with work, denigration, and exclusion. Supervisors produced greater distress on
all factors, but only exclusion predicted a desire to leave the organization.
Distress was greater when the perpetrator was a woman or a group. After
controlling for feelings toward coworkers and supervisors, WHI was not related
to job satisfaction. Conclusions: The WHI was found to be an inclusive
construct, representing numerous concepts. The WHI is comprehensive and global,
encompassing the previous overlap in existing research.
