Relationship between Workplace Psychological Violence and Turnover Intention among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taizhou, China

Abstract

Background Nurses face one of the highest risks of workplace psychological violence. However, limited research has explored the correlation between psychological workplace bullying and turnover intentions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of workplace psychological violence and its relationship with clinical nurses’ turnover intentions. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1047 clinical nurses at Taizhou Hospital in Zhejiang Province, China, from September 16 to 30, 2024. Our questionnaires recorded information on demographic characteristics, belongingness scale-clinical placement experience (BES-CPE), competency inventory for registered nurses (CIRN), work autonomy, perceived organizational support (SPOS), workplace psychological violence behaviors (WPVB), and turnover intention. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with turnover intention among nurses. Results Mean scores ± SD for BES-CPE, CIRN, work autonomy, SPOS, and turnover intention were 138.05 ± 14.28, 97.35 ± 14.52, 56.33 ± 8.55, 57.90 ± 9.03, and 7.26 ± 3.45, respectively. Nurses with moderate (39.6%) and high WPVB (64.3%) reported significantly higher turnover intentions than those with low WPVB (25.1%). Turnover intentions were also influenced by WPVB in relation to age, education level, professional title, total service time, marital status, and monthly income (P < 0.01 for all interactions). Conclusions In China, workplace psychological violence is associated with turnover intentions among nurses. Both personal and professional factors had interactive effects on workplace psychological violence and turnover intention. Improving workplace conditions for all staff may reduce psychological violence and associated turnover intentions.