Role of self-concept in the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health of employees in the North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were: (1) to determine the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health of employees, (2) measure the role that self-concept plays in moderating the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health, (3) to determine gender differences in the relationship between emotional abuse and mental health. Method: A cross sectional survey design was used and sample from various Provincial Departments in the North West Province, South Africa was selected. Participants were selected by means of clustered randomized selection. Four hundred and thirty one participants (431) completed the questionnaire consisting of 198 males (45.9%) and 233 females (54.1%). The participants were 18 years and above, commencing from internship to senior management level across all racial groupings. The statistical analysis used, included hierarchical multiple regression to analyze the relationship between variables studied and t-test for independent samples. Results: Results showed that emotional abuse has a relationship with poor mental health. Analysis revealed that self-concept does not moderate relationship between emotional abuse and mental health, F (19, 22**, p< .01, R=.560, R$^2$ = .314). The 31, 4% on the total variance of the dependent variable shows that self-concept and emotional abuse yielded significant prediction on employees’ mental health. The third hypothesis showed no significant gender difference in relation to experiencing workplace emotional abuse and poor mental health. Recommendations: Workplace emotional abuse and its relationship with mental health and self-concept cannot be limited to employers and employees; it should be dealt with and acknowledged in an open way by means of national awareness campaigns and use of various media techniques with assistance from mental health professionals.