# Network analysis of workplace mobbing, work–family conflict, and mental health in adults from the general population

**Authors:** Javier Hildebrando Espinoza Escobar, Jonatan Baños-Chaparro, Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez, Fabio Cesar Saldivar Celis

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2025.1704409 · Frontiers in Sociology · 2026-01-12

## TL;DR

This study explores how workplace mobbing and work-family conflict affect mental health in Peruvian adults, revealing key connections between these factors.

## Contribution

The study introduces a network analysis approach to understand the interplay between workplace mobbing, work-family conflict, and mental health in a general population.

## Key findings

- Depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, and work-family conflict showed the highest centrality in the network.
- Strong associations were found between work-family conflict and generalized anxiety, sleep quality, and family-work conflict.
- No sex differences were observed in the network structure or associations.

## Abstract

Workplace mobbing and work–family conflict represent two significant risk factors for mental health in the general adult population. In an increasingly demanding work context, these issues affect workers’ psychological well-being, impacting their productivity and quality of life.

To analyze the relationship between workplace mobbing, work–family conflict, and mental health in Peruvian adults employed in both the public and private sectors.

A total of 345 adults participated, with a mean age of 33 years (SD = 9.4). A sociodemographic questionnaire and psychological instruments were applied. An unregularized network modeling and sex-based comparison were conducted.

The nodes with the highest centrality and predictability values were depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, work–family conflict, and family–work conflict. The strongest associations were found between work–family conflict and generalized anxiety, sleep quality, and family–work conflict; between depressive symptoms and generalized anxiety and sleep quality; and between workplace mobbing, family–work conflict, and depressive symptoms. No sex differences were observed.

The patterns of association that reflect how these factors coexist within the psychosocial environment of workers. Consequently, it is recommended that organizations implement network structure provides relevant information about the relationships between workplace mobbing, work–family conflict, and mental health. The findings highlight policies that address these associated dynamics, promote work–family balance, and offer psychological support to strengthen overall well-being in the workplace.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** anxiety (MESH:D001007), depressive symptoms (MESH:D003866)

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

42 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12833962/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12833962