Workplace violence as a predictor of job stress and turnover intention: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychol. 2026 May 25. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-04836-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) represents a growing global health and occupational safety concern, with significant implications for employees’ well-being and job satisfaction as well as organizational performance. This study explores the prevalence of non-physical WPV, specifically perceived sexual harassment (PSH) and perceived gender discrimination (PGD), and examines their potential adverse outcomes such as job stress and intention to leave employment across the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey using non-probability purposive sampling was conducted from November 2023 to March 2025, involving 558 employees from 20 public and private sector organizations in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics and multivariable generalized linear models with gamma regression were used for the analysis.

RESULTS: The mean PSH score was 18.5 (SD = 5.98) and the mean PGD score was 19.6 (SD = 7.97). The multivariable generalized linear models indicated that PGD was associated with higher PSH (adjusted rate ratio = 1.009, 95% CI [1.007, 1.012]) and that elevated job stress was associated with increased PSH (adjusted rate ratio = 1.005, 95% CI [1.002, 1.009]) and PGD (adjusted rate ratio = 1.015, 95% CI [1.010, 1.021]).

CONCLUSIONS: Non-physical forms of WPV, including PSH and PGD, are prevalent across workplace settings in Saudi Arabia and are associated with adverse psychological and occupational outcomes. The results underscore the necessity for organizational policies and psychologically informed workplace interventions to mitigate harassment and discrimination, enhance employee well-being, and foster safer workplace environments.

PMID:42178581 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-026-04836-4