From Incivility to Turnover Intentions among Nurses: A Multifoci and Self-Determination Perspective

Abstract

Purpose. We investigate the associations between incivility from multiple sources (i.e., doctors, supervisors, fellow nurses, and patients/visitors) and nurse turnover intentions. We take a self-determination perspective to explore whether psychological needs for autonomy, belongingness, and competence explain the relationship between incivility and turnover intentions. Finally, we examine whether incivility from doctors, supervisors, fellow nurses, and patients/visitors may primarily relate to one of the three basic psychological needs and whether the autonomy need may have the strongest relationship with turnover intentions. Design. A three-wave time-lagged design was used. Each measurement point was separated by one workweek. New Zealand nurses were asked to evaluate their workplace incivility at Time 1, three basic psychological needs at Time 2, and turnover intentions at Time 3. Findings. Supervisor incivility directly related to turnover intentions. The autonomy need was the only significant mechanism underlying the relationships of incivility from doctors, supervisors, and fellow nurses with turnover intentions. In addition, doctor incivility related to the autonomy need, patient/visitor incivility was not significantly related to any psychological needs, and incivility from fellow nurses and supervisors related to psychological needs for belongingness and autonomy. Originality. This study takes a multifoci perspective to examine nurse incivility from multiple sources. The novelty lies in the introduction of self-determination theory to the understanding of workplace incivility. Finally, we turn the spotlight on the importance of examining whether incivility from different sources may be primarily related to different psychological needs and whether the autonomy need plays a key role in turnover intentions.