Workplace Gaslighting in the Organizational Context: The mediation model of Episodic Envy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62270/jirms.v7i1.135Keywords:
Workplace gaslighting, Episodic envy, psychological withdrawal behavior, time theft, affective events theory AETAbstract
Purpose —Workplace gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse that causes employees to doubt their perceptions and abilities. When enacted by supervisors, its impact is amplified due to power asymmetries. This study examines workplace gaslighting in Pakistan’s service sector and investigates the mediating role of episodic envy in linking gaslighting to time theft and psychological withdrawal behaviors.
Study Design/Methodology/Approach—Grounded in Affective Events Theory (AET), the study conceptualizes episodic envy as an affective response through which gaslighting influences employee behavior. A three-wave, time-lagged survey design was employed with service sector employees in Pakistan (N = 480), with 2–3 week intervals between waves. Gaslighting was measured at Time 1, episodic envy at Time 2, and time theft and psychological withdrawal at Time 3 using self-reported measures. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS, and mediation was tested through bootstrapping.
Findings —Results support the proposed relationships. Workplace gaslighting is positively associated with episodic envy, which in turn is linked to increased time theft and psychological withdrawal. Bootstrapped indirect effects confirm the mediating role of episodic envy in these relationships.
Practical Implications —The findings highlight supervisor gaslighting as a critical interpersonal stressor in service organizations. Preventive strategies such as leadership screening, respectful communication training, and clear reporting mechanisms are recommended. Additionally, fostering psychological safety and reducing harmful social comparisons may help mitigate negative behavioral outcomes.
Originality/Value —This study adds to the existing research by examining workplace gaslighting in a non-Western context and by identifying episodic envy as a key mediating mechanism. On the assumptions of AET, this study emphasizes affective responses, offering a more nuanced understanding of how gaslighting translates into withdrawal and deviant behaviors. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and restricted causal inference
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Copyright (c) 2026 Amna Samin, Mehwish Majeed, Fauzia Syed
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