Association between Workplace Bullying and Social Workers’ Well-Being: Exploring the Mediating Role of Meaning at Work

Abstract This study examines the relationship between workplace bullying and the well-being of social workers, with particular attention given to the mediating role of meaning at work. Using the conservation of resources theory, the research distinguishes between two primary sources of bullying in the workplace: managers and colleagues. Data were obtained from a sample of 296 social workers in Israel through a structured online questionnaire. The findings reveal a significant negative association between bullying (by both managers and colleagues) and the sense of meaning at work, which, in turn, was positively associated with the well-being of social workers. However, a direct negative association between workplace bullying and the well-being of social workers was found only in relation to bullying by colleagues, highlighting the unique harm caused by peer dynamics. These results emphasize the critical importance of fostering organizational environments that protect meaning at work, while also developing policies, interventions, and support systems to address workplace bullying and safeguard social workers’ professional and personal well-being.