The relationship between workplace deviant behaviors and organizational justice among nurses: A cross-sectional survey

Aim: This study aimed to determine the correlations between workplace deviant behaviors (WDBs) and the levels of the perceived organizational justice among Iranian nurses. Design: This was a cross-sectional quantitative research. Methods: The present research was conducted on 424 nurses selected by a convenience sampling method in 2019 (May-August) in Tabriz, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire, including demographic information, organizational justice, and WDBs, was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Based on the findings, nurses had a moderate level of perception of organizational justice while having a low level of perception regarding the occurrence of WDBs. A significantly reverse correlation was found between perceived organizational justice and WDBs (r = -.295, p <.001). Eventually, the findings of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the level of perceived organizational justice could significantly predict WDBs (the coefficient of determination, R-2 = 0.111). Conclusion: The study findings confirmed the hypothesis that an improvement in the levels of organizational justice was related to a decrease in the occurrence of WDBs. Therefore, hospitals and nursing managers are suggested to build and maintain a supportive and healthy work environment to enhance the levels of perceived organizational justice and to minimize the incidence of WDBs. They should also address reward systems, organizational policies and procedures, interpersonal justice, and shared decision-making in this respect.