Abusive supervision and my reaction. Am I a compassionate nurse?

Purpose The role of compassion in various contexts is well-documented in the literature. However, the aspect of how nurses’ reactions to abusive supervision are influenced by compassion in hospital settings remains a less explored arena. This study examines how nurses’ psychological compassion moderates the relationship between abusive supervision, moral disengagement, and subsequent counterproductive work behavior in the hospital setting. Design/methodology/approach A rigorous self-administered online survey questionnaire was meticulously designed and distributed to the nurses in one public and two private hospitals. The survey link was also sent to the directors of the three hospitals, who were requested to forward it to their nurses. A total of 235 responses were collected and compiled for data analysis using SmartPLS. Findings The findings reveal a positive relationship between abusive supervision and counterproductive work behavior among hospital nurses, and that moral disengagement significantly mediates this relationship. However, the study did not find support for the moderating role of psychological compassion, which is an essential point for further exploration. Practical implications The study offers practical implications for hospital management and supervisors, who should foster a professional organizational culture characterized by transparency and quality relationships and encourage nurses through personal development and growth opportunities. Originality/value This study provides a foundational understanding of abusive supervision and nurses’ counterproductive work behaviors, grounded in moral disengagement and psychological reaction theories, by offering a comprehensive overview of supervisors’ influence on nurses. Moreover, the study addresses the prevalence of abusive supervision in hospitals within a developing country. Limited research exists on the subject in this context.