ABUSIVE SUPERVISION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN NIGERIA: THE MODERATED MEDIATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT

Abstract

Abusive supervision has been associated with adverse psychological outcomes in
academic settings, yet research evidence among postgraduate students in Nigeria remains scarce.
This study examined the relationship between abusive supervision and psychological distress,
assessing psychological capital (PsyCap) as a mediator and perceived social support as a moderator.
Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 251 postgraduate students in public
universities in southwestern area of Nigeria. Reliable and validated measures were used to assess
abusive supervision, PsyCap, perceived social support, and psychological distress. Hypotheses
were tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro analysis. Findings showed that abusive supervision was
positively associated with psychological distress. PsyCap mediated this relationship, such that
reduced psychological resources partially explained the effect of abusive supervision on distress.
Perceived social support moderated the indirect effect by mitigating the negative effects of abusive
supervision on PsyCap. This study extends conservation of resources theory by revealing how
internal psychological resources and external social support jointly counteract resource loss
associated with abusive supervision among postgraduate students in an academic setting. The
findings have implications for university policies, supervisor training, and student support systems
aimed at safeguarding postgraduate students’ psychological well-being.