Table 3 Themes generated from reviewed studies

Workplace mistreatment

Workplace harassment

It refers to any unwanted or unwelcome behaviour, whether verbal, physical, or visual, that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment, typically targeting a worker or a group of workers based on their protected characteristics such as gender, race, religion, or disability.

[10, 11]

Workplace violence

Refers to any act or threat of physical violence, aggression, or intimidation that occurs within or related to the work environment, posing a risk to the safety and well-being of workers

[8, 10]

Workplace bullying

Involves persistent, unwanted, and aggressive behaviour directed towards an individual or a group, typically involving the misuse of power or authority, with the intention to intimidate, humiliate, or undermine the target, creating a hostile and harmful work environment.

[10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]

Workplace abuse

Involves mistreatment of employees through acts of physical, psychological, or emotional harm, often involving the misuse of power or authority, resulting in the degradation, humiliation, or exploitation of the individuals targeted.

[18]

Discrimination

It involves the denial of equal opportunities, unequal pay, biased decision-making, or creating a hostile work environment based on these protected attributes.

[18]

Mental health

Psychological well-being

It refers to a worker’s overall state of mental health and happiness, characterised by positive emotions, a sense of purpose and fulfillment, good self-esteem, and a strong ability to cope with life’s challenges.

[14, 19,20,21]

Emotional exhaustion

It is a state of extreme fatigue and depletion of emotional resources, often resulting from prolonged periods of stress, excessive workload, and emotional demands. It is characterised by feelings of emotional drain, reduced motivation, and a sense of being emotionally overwhelmed or drained.

[4, 16, 22, 25, 30,31,32]

Psychological distress

It involves experiencing negative emotions, such as sadness, fear, or worry, along with symptoms like sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or a sense of hopelessness.

[4, 18, 22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29]

Stress

It refers to the body and mind’s response to demanding or challenging situations that can have negative effects on physical and mental well-being, leading to symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and various health problems.

[33, 34]

Depression

It is a mental health disorder marked by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and impaired daily functioning.

[23, 36,37,38]

Cognitive weariness

Cognitive weariness refers to a state of mental exhaustion or fatigue that arises from prolonged cognitive effort, such as intense mental work, decision-making, or problem-solving. It involves a feeling of mental drain, reduced cognitive functioning, and a decreased ability to concentrate or think clearly.

[35]

Assertive

Being assertive refers to expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a confident and direct manner, while respecting the rights and boundaries of others

[39]

Personal resilience

It involves the capacity to maintain mental strength, emotional well-being, and a positive outlook in the face of difficulties. Resilient workers can effectively cope with setbacks, learn from experiences, and develop strategies to navigate through adversity, ultimately promoting their overall well-being and ability to thrive.

[40]

Hope

Hope is an optimistic and positive state of mind characterised by the belief that things can improve or desired outcomes can be achieved. It involves having confidence, aspirations, and a sense of possibility for the future, even in challenging circumstances.

[40]