The chain mediating effects of psychological resilience and organizational commitment on the association between workplace incivility and job withdrawal among Chinese oncology nurses: A cross-sectional study

Background: Workplace incivility experienced by nurses has a substantial impact on job withdrawal, psychological resilience and organizational commitment also show certain associations with both incivility and work withdrawal. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these factors remain unclear. Aim: This study aimed to identify the relationship between workplace incivility and job withdrawal and the chain mediating effects of psychological resilience and organizational commitment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with oncology nurses working in 7 hospitals using a convenience sampling method, which were all situated in central China, comprising four hospitals in Henan Province, two in Hunan Province, and one in Shandong Province. Demographic questionnaire and four validated and reliable scales were utilized for assessing demographic and occupational characteristics, workplace incivility, job withdrawal, psychological resilience, and organizational commitment. Participants (N = 1442) completed the survey. Results: The effects of workplace incivility, job withdrawal, psychological resilience, and organizational commitment were interrelated (all p < 0.01). Workplace incivility influenced job withdrawal through three statistically significant indirect pathways: (a) the mediating effect of psychological resilience (β = 0.017; SE = 0.003; 95 % CI: 0.012, 0.022); (b) the mediating effect of organizational commitment (β = 0.011; SE = 0.002; 95 % CI: 0.006, 0.015) and (c) the chain mediating effect between psychological resilience and organizational commitment (β = 0.001; SE = 0.004; 95 % CI: 0.001, 0.002). Conclusion: This study further elucidated the intrinsic connection between nurses' experiences of workplace incivility and their job withdrawal. This suggested that improving the working environment, reducing instances of uncivilized behavior in the workplace, enhancing psychological resilience and organizational commitment may contribute to reducing nurses' job withdrawal, thereby improving the quality of nursing care and ensuring patient safety.