The article, “Cyberbullying and Psychological Stress among Female Employees” by Al Doghan and Arshad delves into a prevalent issue that many individuals face in their professional lives: cyberbullying. This research explores the impact of workplace cyberbullying on female employees employed across diverse organizations in Saudi Arabia. To comprehensively analyze this study and its implications, this paper will break it down in terms of its relevance to social science principles, research questions and hypotheses, research methods, data analysis, its connection to classroom concepts that I have learned, its relation to marginalized groups, and its societal contributions
Cyberbullying is a growing concern, impacting not only individuals but also the organizations they work for. In the field of social science, this study focuses on the principles of organizational psychology and human behavior. It examines how negative workplace experiences, such as cyberbullying, can influence factors like psychological stress, organizational commitment, interactional justice, and job satisfaction.
While the article does not explicitly state a research question, it implicitly addresses the question, “What is the impact of workplace cyberbullying on female employees in Saudi Arabia?” The study formulates a hypothesis believing that it affects organizational commitment, psychological stress, interactional justice, and job satisfaction.
The study employed a self-administered survey method to collect data from female employees across various sectors in Saudi Arabia. Informed consent was obtained from participants, highlighting the ethical considerations of the research. They analyzed the data using computer programs: SPSS for looking at the basic information and SmartPLS for doing more complex analyses like testing ideas, looking at how different things are connected, and checking if some factors make a difference in the results.
The data analysis employed a two-step approach. In the first step, they checked if the survey questions they used were good at measuring what they wanted to know. The results showed that the questions were reliable and made sense for their study. In the second step, they used statistical numbers to confirm whether their ideas about how things are connected in the workplace made sense. The results supported their ideas, indicating that workplace cyberbullying, employee loyalty to the organization, stress, fair treatment, and job satisfaction are all linked in important ways.
The article connects to several concepts commonly discussed in classes related to social science and cybersecurity. The article focuses on the intersection of cybersecurity and human behavior within the workplace. The study also highlights the ethical considerations of online behavior and the psychological aspects of cyberbullying. The article’s focus on gender-related cybersecurity issues provides an example of gender dynamics in cybersecurity as we have discussed in class. Another concept commonly discussed in classes related to social science and cybersecurity that the article touches upon is the concept of insider threats. Insider threats involve individuals within an organization who pose a security risk through their actions or negligence.
For marginalized groups, such as female employees, who are often more susceptible to workplace cyberbullying, this study highlights the challenges they face. Cyberbullying increases their psychological stress, diminishing their job satisfaction and decreasing their organizational commitment. Addressing these issues becomes crucial for ensuring equal opportunities and well-being for all employees.
The study makes significant contributions to society by shedding light on the consequences of workplace cyberbullying. It underscores the importance of organizations taking measures to provide secure and respectful work environments, particularly for marginalized groups. By addressing this issue, companies can not only enhance the well-being of their employees but also promote a more productive and harmonious work environment.
In conclusion, the research by Al Doghan and Arshad on “Cyberbullying and Psychological Stress among Female Employees” provides valuable insights into the effects of workplace cyberbullying. It emphasizes the significance of addressing this issue in the broader context of social science principles and human behavior. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of fostering respectful work environments, which can positively impact the lives of marginalized groups. This study serves as a catalyst for change, urging organizations to prioritize the well-being of their employees, particularly those vulnerable to cyberbullying, to create a more harmonious workplace.
References
Al Doghan, M. A., & Arshad, S. (2023). Cyberbullying and Psychological Stress among Female Employees. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 17(1), 166-184.
https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/161/61