The Mediating Roles of Self-Esteem and Psychological Distress on the Link of Workplace Ostracism to Interpersonal Conflict and Job Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Workplace ostracism is a form of social exclusion that can undermine employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. In Lebanon's socio-political and economic crisis context, where job-related stress is high, this study explores the impact of workplace ostracism on interpersonal conflict and job satisfaction, investigating the mediating roles of self-esteem and psychological distress. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study covered 650 Lebanese workers (mean age of 32.15 ± 10.32 years; 59.1% female; while 72.8% from the private sector). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the mediating roles of self-esteem and psychological distress in the associations between workplace ostracism, interpersonal conflict, and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Psychological distress and self-esteem both mediated the association between ostracism and interpersonal conflict, with distress showing the stronger indirect effect. For job satisfaction, only self-esteem acted as a significant mediator. CONCLUSION: This study offers insights into psychological pathways through which ostracism affects organizational outcomes. The findings emphasize practical interventions -such as mental support, self-esteem building, and culturally sensitive strategies- that foster inclusivity and reduce conflict while encouraging further research across diverse organizational and contextual settings.