Publication Date

Fall 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Jacquelyn Brad; Marisa Knight; Megumi Hosoda

Abstract

By building on previous research and addressing calls to examine the growing epidemic of loneliness, this study investigated how workplace incivility affects employee well-being and workplace outcomes, with attention to the roles of loneliness and supervisor support. Guided by the Conservation of Resources theory, workplace incivility was conceptualized as a resource-draining process that fosters stress states such as loneliness. A key contribution of this study was examining the process through which incivility impacts employees, by testing loneliness as a mediating mechanism and supervisor support as a potential moderator. Using data from 178 participants, regression and mediation analyses were conducted, as well as a moderated mediation analysis. Consistent with previous research, workplace incivility predicted a higher number of physical health symptoms, greater psychological distress, higher burnout, increased absenteeism, and lower affective commitment. Loneliness mediated the relationship between incivility and all outcomes except absenteeism. Contrary to expectations, supervisor support did not significantly moderate these effects. Implications for theory and practice, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.

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