title: Bullying, internalized hepatitis (Hepatitis C virus) stigma, and self-esteem: Does spirituality curtail the relationship in the workplace.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of workplace bullying on self-esteem, including the mediating effect of internalized stigma and the moderating effect of spirituality, among hepatitis C virus patients. Data were collected from 228 employed hepatitis C virus patients who had been admitted to Gastroenterology and Hepatology wards in Pakistani hospitals. We found support for the hypothesis that workplace bullying is associated with low self-esteem via internalized stigma. In addition, spirituality moderated the association such that participants with greater spirituality were buffered from the impact of stigma on self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.affiliation: Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan profsajid@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sajid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.affiliation: Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Earnshaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058445:Bullying; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: efficacy; health behavior; stigma; stigmatization; stress