The Major Impact of Minor Disrespect: Exploring Links Between Emotional Exhaustion and Workplace Incivility, with the Moderating Role of Self-Esteem

Lipka, Zofia (2026) The Major Impact of Minor Disrespect: Exploring Links Between Emotional Exhaustion and Workplace Incivility, with the Moderating Role of Self-Esteem. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Workplace incivility - a low-intensity deviant behaviour characterised by ambiguous intent - is a persistent threat to employee wellbeing in modern-day organisations. Following the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory by Hobfoll (1989), the Stress as an Offence to Self (SOS) theory by Semmer et al. (2019), and the Affective Events Theory by Weiss and Cropanzano (1996), this study explored the link between workplace incivility and emotional exhaustion. The study then examined whether trait self-esteem acts as a moderator of this relationship. Results showed a positive correlation between incivility and emotional exhaustion, supplying evidence that subtle, interpersonal offences accumulate as serious, resource-depleting stressors. However, the moderating effect of trait self-esteem was found insignificant. This research highlights the pervasive depleting nature of interpersonal disrespect and calls for a conceptual shift from relying on individual personality traits for resilience against work stress. Organisations may instead strive to internally stop incivility and protect the finite emotional energy of their workforce.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Yang, W. and Ostafin, B.D.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	18 May 2026 07:32
Last Modified:	18 May 2026 07:32
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6406

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