Abusive supervision: a systematic literature review

Abstract

The interest generated by abusive supervision among researchers can be gauged from the fact that more than 140 articles on abusive supervision have been published by leading journals in the last five years alone. However, a comprehensive understanding of the same is lacking. As a result, we systematically reviewed 273 articles on abusive supervision published between 2000 and 2022. This enabled us to present five interrelated aspects of abusive supervision literature. First, we focus on the definitional issues associated with abusive supervision. Second, we examine two widely used abusive supervision scales. Third, we review and critique different research designs utilized in abusive supervision studies. Fourth, we look at the key theories underpinning abusive supervision research and map the nomological network of abusive supervision. Fifth, we suggest novel avenues for theoretical advancement. In sum, we endeavored to portray a detailed picture of research on abusive supervision.

Abusive Supervision and Its Relationship With Nursing Workforce and Patient Safety Outcomes: A Systematic Review

“…In general, the findings of this review suggest that abusive supervision could result in multiple dysfunctional consequences for nurses. These findings provide additional support to research conducted in nursing 28,39 and nonnursing sectors, 9,48 showing that a leader’s abusive behavior may have motivational, relational, cognitive/social-cognitive, and affective impacts on subordinates.…”

“…6,7 Negative behaviors, including abusive supervision, have often been reported to be associated with a myriad of adverse effects on the labor workforce. 8,9 Tepper 10 conceptualized abusive supervision as a subjective assessment rooted in subordinates’ perceptions of sustained hostile verbal and nonverbal actions by supervisors, excluding physical contact. A leader’s abusive behavior is believed to be affected by an individual’s disposition and the context.…”

Does employees’ gender matter? Investigating the indirect effect of abusive supervision on employee creativity through job insecurity in Indonesia

“…This study found that gender moderated the relationship between abusive supervision and job insecurity, and this moderation subsequently reduced creativity. The abuse of power perpetrated by leaders has been identified as a social interaction problem within the workplace context (Bhattacharjee and Sarkar, 2022; Gallegos et al , 2022). However, this study revealed that the perception and consequences of abusive supervision were not equal for men and women.…”

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

“…Abusive supervision refers to the mistreatment of subordinates by their supervisors through persistent hostile behaviours, including both verbal and nonverbal actions, but without physical actions (Tepper, 2000). Examples of such behaviours include disrespectful conduct, excessive workload, lying, aggressive eye contact, violation of privacy, explosive outbursts, public ridicule, silent treatment, withholding necessary information, and intimidation (Bhattacharjee & Sarkar, 2022). Nurses who are subject to abusive supervision are more likely to engage in counterproductive work behaviours (Low et al, 2021) and experience poor job satisfaction, a sense of belonging, and the quality of nursing care (Nia et al, 2022).…”