Abstract
The purpose of this cross-sectional quantitative descriptive and correlational study was to explore the relationship between frequency of gossip in the workplace, attitudes towards gossip with problem and emotion focused coping, perceived stress, gender and type of employment. Three questionnaires, the Perceived Stress scale, Brief Cope and Attitudes to Gossip were distributed to a sample size of (n=107) participants using convenience and snowball sampling. Results suggest a relationship between type of employment (managerial/non managerial roles) and frequency of gossip. There was no significant relationship between frequency of gossip, attitudes to gossip and coping with stress. There was also no significant difference found between frequency of gossip for males and females. Post hoc analyses however, showed time spent thinking of others opinions and type of employment each significantly predicted stress. This study contributes to the under researched area of gossip and the relationship with the mental well being of the individual.
Author Keywords: gossip, stress,coping
