Counterproductive Work Behaviors in a Saudi Tertiary Healthcare Organization

Abstract

Background: Counterproductive work behaviors, such as violence, and anti-social behaviors, such as bullying, are serious issues in healthcare. It can lead to poor patient care outcomes, loss of staff morale, and a decline in the organization's performance. This study explored nursing personality traits (Big Five Inventory [BFI]), primary and secondary psychopathy, and demographic data to determine whether victims and perpetrators of counterproductive behaviors have specific characteristics that distinguish them from others. Design: A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was conducted with nurses in a Saudi tertiary healthcare organization. Methods: This study included all nursing staff (2400) with a simple random sample of n = 824. Participants completed an online self-report survey that included demographic information, followed by questionnaires to measure personality traits and primary and secondary psychopaths. Results: 46.5% of the nurses in the study were exposed to violence, 54.2% were exposed to anti-social behaviors such as bullying, and 16.7% were perpetrators of counterproductive behavior. Perpetrators had significantly lower agreeableness scores than other staff members, odds ratios (OR) 3.00 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17 -4.15], and significantly higher openness scores (OR) 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 -0.79]. Victims of anti-social behaviors such as bullying had significantly lower scores for primary psychopathy (OR) 1.04 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 -1.06] and significantly higher scores for second psychopathy (OR) 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92 -0.99], neuroticism (OR) 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 -0.95], and openness (OR) 0.66 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 -0.88] Conclusion: The study was unique in that it examined perceptions, actual behavior, and predictors using personality and psychopathy traits.