The Mediating Roles of Self‐Esteem and Psychological Distress on the Link of Workplace Ostracism to Interpersonal Conflict and Job Satisfaction: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Verginia Moubarak, Melyssa Assaf, Rabih Hallit, Diana Malaeb, Sami El Khatib, Mariam Dabbous, Fouad Sakr, Sahar Obeid, Feten Fekih‐Romdhane, Souheil HallitABSTRACT
Background and Aims
Workplace ostracism is a form of social exclusion that can undermine employee well‐being and organizational effectiveness. In Lebanon's socio‐political and economic crisis context, where job‐related stress is high, this study explores the impact of workplace ostracism on interpersonal conflict and job satisfaction, investigating the mediating roles of self‐esteem and psychological distress.
Methods
Our cross‐sectional study covered 650 Lebanese workers (mean age of 32.15 ± 10.32 years; 59.1% female; while 72.8% from the private sector). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the mediating roles of self‐esteem and psychological distress in the associations between workplace ostracism, interpersonal conflict, and job satisfaction.
Results
Psychological distress and self‐esteem both mediated the association between ostracism and interpersonal conflict, with distress showing the stronger indirect effect. For job satisfaction, only self‐esteem acted as a significant mediator.
Conclusion
This study offers insights into psychological pathways through which ostracism affects organizational outcomes. The findings emphasize practical interventions ‐such as mental support, self‐esteem building, and culturally sensitive strategies‐ that foster inclusivity and reduce conflict while encouraging further research across diverse organizational and contextual settings.