Psychological Research in Management

Psychological Research in Management

Managing Negative Emotions and Thoughts Influenced by Employees Workplace Relationships Based on Islamic Teaching

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Hossein Gorjipour
PhD in Public Administration, Researcher in the Management Group, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. Corresponding Author, Email: h.gorjipour@basu.ac.ir
10.22034/jom.2026.2081133.1443
Abstract
Purpose: This research endeavors to identify and delineate effective strategies, grounded in a comprehensive approach and the rich principles of Islamic teachings, for the proactive management and fundamental prevention of negative emotions and thoughts that frequently arise within the complex landscape of workplace relationships. Beyond merely identifying issues, the ultimate aim of this study is to present an operational framework capable of simultaneously addressing three critical domains: firstly, the enhancement and assurance of employees’ mental health and well-being; secondly, the strengthening and deepening of healthy, constructive, and mutually respectful interpersonal relationships in the workplace; and thirdly, ultimately, the significant improvement and increase of the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. This research seeks to assist organizations in fostering a more conducive, humane, and consequently, more successful work environment by extracting practical guidelines from Islamic sources.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach. In the first phase, internationally validated tools for assessing negative emotions in the workplace were reviewed and analyzed to extract a comprehensive set of emotional and cognitive negative components related to workplace interactions. In the second phase, field data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 employees from public sector organizations, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Following the extraction and categorization of negative emotions, management strategies were identified based on Islamic teachings through consultation of authoritative sources, including the Holy Quran, Nahj al-Balagheh, and other reputable Shia ethical and narrative texts.
Findings: This research conducted an in-depth examination and analysis of negative emotions arising from workplace relationships, revealing that these emotions can be broadly categorized into three main groups:
1.    Hostile Emotions: This category encompasses feelings such as anger, hatred, and jealousy, which frequently manifest in response to undesirable interactions, unhealthy competition, or a sense of injustice within the work environment. These emotions can rapidly damage professional relationships and foster a tense atmosphere.
2.    Occupational Stressors: This group includes factors directly related to the nature of the job and its surrounding environment. Elements such as excessive and unreasonable workload, inappropriate and unsupportive managerial behavior, and pervasive fear of task failure contribute to the exacerbation of negative emotions.
3.    Pessimistic Attitudes: This category comprises thought patterns and attitudes that cast a negative light on the workplace. Such elements include feelings of ostracism and being overlooked by colleagues or management, distrust of others’ motives and intentions, and a propensity for conspiratorial thinking and suspicion regarding surrounding events. These attitudes can significantly impact an individual’s mental well-being and team dynamics.
Subsequently, through a rigorous review and analysis of Islamic sources and texts, it was determined that effective strategies exist for managing these negative emotions. These strategies are applicable at both the preventive stage (prior to the full onset of emotions) and the therapeutic stage (after emotions have developed). Furthermore, the efficacy of these strategies has been validated at both the individual level (personal responsibilities and actions) and the organizational level (policies and managerial interventions). These findings indicate that the integration of Islamic teachings with modern management approaches can provide a potent toolkit for cultivating a healthier and more constructive work environment.
Discussion and Conclusion: This study shows that Islamic teachings provide an ethics-based framework for managing emotions and negative reactions in human interactions. At the individual level, cultivating moral virtues helps prevent negative emotions, improving well-being and workplace relationships. At the organizational level, fostering a culture of awareness, fairness, and mutual respect—supported by ethical policies and leadership—reduces conflict and stress. Integrating Islamic principles with modern management approaches enhances employees’ quality of life, emotional regulation, and psychological safety. This synergy creates a human-centered, sustainable work environment where valued employees are more engaged and innovative. The study advocates for embedding spiritual and ethical values into organizational management to promote a healthier, more productive workplace.
Keywords
Negative emotions
Emotion management
Workplace relationships
Organizational interactions
Islamic teachings

Subjects

  1.  

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Psychological Research in Management
Volume 12, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 41-68