The mediating role of psychological capital on the association between workplace violence and professional identity among Chinese doctors: a cross-sectional study

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) and psychological capital (PsyCap) are linked to professional identity, however, little research has examined how WPV is associated with professional identity via PsyCap. This study is aimed to examine the association between WPV and professional identity, and to further explore whether PsyCap can serve as a mediator between WPV and professional identity among Chinese doctors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December in Liaoning Province in China, in 2017. The study used a questionnaire consisting of Workplace Violence Scale (WVS), Occupational Identity Scale (OIS), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), as well as questions about demographic characteristics. Out of 1200 doctors, 995 (effective response rate of 82.92%) completed the questionnaire survey and became our final subjects. Hierarchical multiple regression and the asymptotic and resampling strategies were conducted to explore the mediating role of PsyCap in the relationship between WPV and professional identity. Results: After adjusting for demographic characteristics, WPV was negatively associated with professional identity (β=−0.37; P<0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that PsyCap was a mediator in the relationship between WPV and professional identity. Two dimensions of PsyCap: self-efficacy (a*b =−0.04, BCa 95% CI: (−0.08, −0.01); P<0.01) and hope (a*b =−0.04, BCa 95% CI: (−0.08, −0.01); P<0.01) also did exhibit mediating effects in the relationship between WPV and professional identity. The proportion of self-efficacy, hope and PsyCap mediation was 10.73%, 10.77%, 36.22% for professional identity respectively. Conclusion: These results provided evidence that PsyCap could mediate the association between WPV and professional identity. To increase the level of professional identity, positive interventions targeting PsyCap should be taken, with a focus on self-efficacy and hope.