# Should I Stay, or Should I quit? The Effect of Bullying, Emotional Exhaustion and Work Engagement in Public Healthcare Workers: A Latent Profile Analysis

## TL;DR

This study explores how bullying, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement affect public healthcare workers in Italy, identifying distinct profiles and their impact on well-being and job outcomes.

## Contribution

The study introduces a person-centered approach using latent profile analysis to uncover distinct worker profiles linked to job demands, resources, and outcomes in public healthcare.

## Key findings

- Four distinct profiles (Balanced, Engaged, Bullied Not Stressed, and Bullied & Stressed) were identified based on bullying, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement.
- Profiles differed significantly in job demands, resources, and outcomes like intention to quit and job satisfaction.
- The findings suggest tailored interventions can improve well-being and performance in high-pressure healthcare environments.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify profiles of workplace bullying, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement in a sample of public healthcare workers in Italy. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources Model, we explored how job demands (quantitative demands, perceived injustice, and role conflict), job resources (quality of the work environment, career development, horizontal and vertical trust, social support), and personal resources (self-efficacy, and passion for work), predict these profiles. In addition, we examined how the identified profiles relate to organisational and personal outcomes (physical and psychological symptoms, intention to quit, performance, and job satisfaction). 624 healthcare workers completed an online survey and latent profiles analysis were performed to identify profiles. Latent factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were performed. Results allowed the identification of four profiles (Balanced, Engaged, Bullied Not Stressed, and Bullied & Stressed), which differed significantly in job demands, resources and outcomes. Our findings highlight the complexity of public healthcare workers’ experiences and provide evidence for strategic interventions aimed at optimising working conditions to enhance both employee well-being and organisational effectiveness. Understanding workplace experiences through a person-centered lens allows for more tailored strategies to support staff well-being and performance in high-pressure environments such as public healthcare.