Mobbing as a Predictor of Health Risk Behaviours and Seeking Specialist Support in Non-university Teachers / [El acoso psicológico como predictor de conductas de riesgo para la salud y la búsqueda de apoyo especializado en los docentes no universitarios]

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether experiencing mobbing can predict different health risk behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol intake, increased use of medication as a consequence of psychological disorders at work, and the need to seek specialist support in non-university teachers (N = 9,350). The results of the factorial analysis confirmed the one-dimensionality of the scale and its invariance by gender and educational stage. Results for the predictive model showed that the total score on a mobbing scale predicts the increase in both alcohol intake and tobacco use, a greater use of medication as a consequence of psychological or psychosomatic health disorders at work, and the need to seek support from a specialist to overcome some personal crises related to work. Likewise, the consumption of alcohol and tobacco were positively correlated, whereas the search for specialist support was more related to the increase in the use of medication.(AU)

El objetivo del estudio fue investigar si el acoso psicológico predecía conductas de riesgo no saludables en forma de aumento del consumo de tabaco y alcohol y aumento del consumo de medicamentos por trastornos psicológicos asociados al trabajo, así como la búsqueda de apoyo de profesionales en docentes no universitarios (N = 9,350). Un análisis factorial inicial confirmó la unidimensionalidad de la escala de mobbing y su invarianza por género y etapa educativa. Los resultados del modelo predictivo mostraron que la puntuación en acoso predice el aumento de consumo de alcohol y de tabaco y mayor uso de medicamentos debido a problemas de salud psicológicos o psicosomáticos derivados del trabajo, así como la necesidad de buscar apoyo de especialistas para superar crisis personales relacionadas con el trabajo. El aumento del consumo de alcohol y de tabaco correlacionan positivamente. La búsqueda de apoyo especializado está más relacionada con el aumento del uso de medicamentos.(AU)

How Do Men Evaluate and Blame Victims of Mobbing? Depending on the Victims' Identification as Feminist or Egalitarian.

In the current research, our objective was to explore how men assess and assign blame to both a man and a woman who are victims of workplace mobbing, depending on whether they identify as feminist or egalitarian. It is well recognized that the label "feminist" carries distinct connotations when applied to individuals of different genders. However, it remains unclear whether these varied connotations are due to the label itself or its underlying meaning. Given that the feminist label has been traditionally stigmatized, we aimed to disentangle the influence of the label from its semantic content. To achieve this, we compared the evaluations and attributions of victim blame directed toward targets labeled as feminist with those labeled with a similar but more neutral term-that is, egalitarian-as well as with unlabeled targets. Considering that much of the previous research in this area has focused on samples predominantly composed of women, we aimed to investigate how men respond to these labels. Through three experiments involving male participants (N = 628), we presented fictitious scenarios depicting a man or a woman who were victims of workplace mobbing due to their identification as feminist or egalitarian. The key finding of our research is that the feminist label, rather than its semantic content, significantly influences the evaluations and assignment of blame expressed by men who strongly adhere to traditional male role norms. These findings underscore the importance of these labels (feminist and egalitarian) in social judgments, particularly when applied to victims of workplace mobbing.

Incivility, Mobbing, and Abusive Supervision: A Tripartite Scale Development Study.

Using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, in three consecutive studies with employed samples, we developed measures of workplace incivility, mobbing, and abusive supervision sensitive to the nuances of a non-Western context (i.e., Türkiye). In Study 1, we first conducted 15 focus groups (N = 149), identified culture-specific and universal themes underlying the focal mistreatment types, and developed the initial scales. We then pilot-tested (N = 427) and refined the scales using exploratory factor analytic procedures. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses (N range = 456-524) and associations between the new scales and their widely used counterparts (N = 353) yielded evidence for the construct validity of the scales. Study 2 also involved the development of short forms of relatively long incivility and abusive supervision scales. In Study 3 (N = 482), we first examined the extent to which the three scales were operationally distinct. Second, we examined the scales' ability to predict burnout and organizational commitment. Results supported operational distinctiveness as well as the criterion-related validity of the scales. A dominance analysis revealed that the three scales had equivalent contributions in explaining the two outcome variables, further justifying their distinctiveness. We argue that the use of present scales is not necessarily restricted to the Turkish context and may prove useful more broadly in other neo-traditional contexts.

Mobbing - assédio moral no trabalho como fator desencadeante de stress laboral em enfermeiros / Mobbing - bullying at work as a trigger for work-related stress in nurses

A experiência de Assédio Moral no Trabalho (AMT) em Enfermagem, apresenta consequências importantes, que acentuam a pertinência de pesquisa na área. Com os objetivos de caracterizar os estudos que aqui assumem o estatuto de elementos de amostra; identificar categorias que expressem os contornos do AMT; analisar a fundamentação da literatura para as categorias de AMT encontradas. Como metodologia, foi desenvolvida uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura, a partir da amostra, selecionada em bases de dados Web of Science e PubMed, através do método PRISMA, e critérios PICO. A seleção emerge a partir da expressão de busca e termos MeSH, dos operadores booleanos (Moral harassment) OR (mobbing) OR (bullying) AND (nursing) AND (nursing professionals) AND (workplace) AND (stress). Resultam 116 estudos, e foram selecionados 11, por responderem à Questão de Investigação, emergentes de 4 países da Europa, 4 da Ásia, 1 da América do Sul e 1 da Austrália. Resultou na identificação de 18 categorias que expressam os contornos do AMT: as categorias fortes são "Burnout ­ exaustão emocional e despersonalização", fundamentada por 8 Componentes Discursivas (CD), de 6 estudos, seguida de "Insatisfação laboral, sentimentos de fracasso e frustração" por 5 CD de 5 estudos; e ainda "Stress Laboral, menor Capacidade de gestão de stress", "Relação entre exposição ao assédio moral vertical e satisfação no trabalho" por 4 CD de 4 estudos, respetivamente. Concluiu-se que as co-morbilidades consequentes ao AMT - burnout e sintomatologia psicossomática ­ são indicadores para maior investigação e formação de enfermeiros, assim como para a implementação de estratégias preventivas.

The experience of Moral Harassment at Work (AMT) in Nursing has important consequences, which accentuate the relevance of research in the area. In order to characterize the studies that here assume the status of sample elements; Identify categories that express the contours of the AMT; to analyze the rationale of the literature for the categories of AMT found. As a methodology, a Systematic Literature Review was developed, based on the sample, selected in Web of Science and PubMed databases, using the PRISMA method, and PICO criteria. The selection emerges from the search expression and terms MeSH, the Boolean operators (Moral harassment) OR (mobbing) OR (bullying) AND (nursing) AND (nursing professionals) AND (workplace) AND (stress). A total of 116 studies were conducted, and 11 were selected for answering the Research Question, emerging from 4 countries in Europe, 4 from Asia, 1 from South America and 1 from Australia. It was concluded that the comorbidities resulting from AMT - burnout and psychosomatic symptomatology - are indicators for further investigation and training of nurses, as well as for the implementation of preventive strategies.

The effect of mobbing on the development of depression in anesthesia workers: A prospective, multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Mobbing in the workplace is a critical problem affecting healthcare workers' psychological health and performance. However, there is a lack of data on the relationship between mobbing and depression and a lack of regulations to create a decent working environment. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the frequency of exposure to mobbing and the depression levels that may be related to mobbing among the employees of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic. METHODS: In this multi-center cross-sectional study, employees were evaluated with Leymann's Inventory of Psychological Terror scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Of the participants, 86.2% stated that they were exposed to mobbing. The presence of mobbing was also associated with the presence of psychological and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The frequency of mobbing was relatively high among Anesthesiology and Reanimation clinic employees. Mobbing exposure was found to be associated with a high level of depression. Institutional and legal precautions should be taken, and awareness of mobbing should be increased to eliminate mobbing and its consequences on healthcare workers.

The use of religious resources in helping victims of workplace mobbing.

Research shows that in providing assistance to individuals who have experienced psychological traumas, it is beneficial not only to take into account the specific religious spiritual needs but also to employ religious resources. Although the role of religious counsellors using various psychological theories in helping to cope with traumatising experiences is acknowledged, there is still a lack of a conceptualising approach to the possibilities of employing religious resources used in Christian spiritual assistance, seeking to help cope with the effects of workplace mobbing. Therefore, this study aims to conceptualise the perspective of integrating Christian spiritual assistance resources in overcoming the individual consequences of workplace mobbing. This review is based on an interdisciplinary approach and abundant literature of psychology, psychotherapy and theology sciences. The article details the main physical, psychological and social aspects of damage to the person, caused by mobbing, which provide for a corresponding triple assistance perspective. After highlighting the essential resources provided by the Christian religion for coping with traumatic experiences, the necessity to consider the religious needs of the victims of mobbing is reasoned and the possibilities of using religious spiritual resources are discussed. In the context of helping victims of mobbing, two main functions of Christian spiritual assistance are distinguished and discussed: auxiliary and main. The results of this review are a useful resource for lay and religious counsellors and encourage their collaboration. The research findings also provide a basis for further research on the use of religious resources in the context of helping victims of mobbing.

Determinants of hyena participation in risky collective action.

Collective action problems arise when cooperating individuals suffer costs of cooperation, while the benefits of cooperation are received by both cooperators and defectors. We address this problem using data from spotted hyenas fighting with lions. Lions are much larger and kill many hyenas, so these fights require cooperative mobbing by hyenas for them to succeed. We identify factors that predict when hyena groups engage in cooperative fights with lions, which individuals choose to participate and how the benefits of victory are distributed among cooperators and non-cooperators. We find that cooperative mobbing is better predicted by lower costs (no male lions, more hyenas) than higher benefits (need for food). Individual participation is facilitated by social factors, both over the long term (close kin, social bond strength) and the short term (greeting interactions prior to cooperation). Finally, we find some direct benefits of participation: after cooperation, participants were more likely to feed at contested carcasses than non-participants. Overall, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that, when animals face dangerous cooperative dilemmas, selection favours flexible strategies that are sensitive to dynamic factors emerging over multiple time scales.

Investigating Mobbing Syndrome's Incidence in the Working Environment of a Public and a Private Greek Hospital.

To investigate the phenomenon of moral harassment (mobbing) as well as the effect of demographic and occupational characteristics of healthcare professionals working in a public provincial general hospital and a private hospital in Athens a cross-sectional survey was designed. The study was conducted from November to December 2021 through the application of the Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror (LIPT) a widely recognized research tool for the quantitative investigation of ethical harassment in the workplace. 264 fully completed questionnaires were collected out of the 300 that were distributed in both hospitals (response rates: 92% for the public hospital and 83.3% for the private). It was observed that private hospital's employees were morally harassed to a greater extent and for a longer time than the employees of a public hospital. The levels of moral harassment were quite high, indicating the necessity of thorough audit by the management in both hospitals.

What to remove from the work environment: the sick worker or the cause of his sickness? Workplace bullying, a form of violence that causes sickness.

Abstract: Although there are many different definitions of workplace bullying in the scientific literature, it can be defined as a form of psychological and relational violence conducted systematically and continuously by one or more individuals, towards another individual, with the aim of causing him physical and mental harm and exclude him from the workplace. The elements common to all definitions are the work context, the duration for at least six months, the frequency of bullying actions, which must occur at least once a week, the evolution in phases and the power differential between aggressor and victim. The purpose of this article is not only to provide the most important definitions of workplace bullying and to identify the common elements, but also to report the most recent findings concerning gender and personality differences of both victim and aggressor, to report the most investigated professional sectors, to describe the causes and the consequences on both the worker and the organization and to present the legislative framework. Workplace bullying can be considered an emerging public health problem that requires preventive interventions. Secondary and tertiary prevention interventions are important, but the aim is to prevent the phenomenon when it has not yet developed. Primary prevention interventions promote a healthy work environment that reduces the development of work-related violence, including workplace bullying.

Occupational Burnout in Healthcare Workers, Stress and Other Symptoms of Work Overload during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland.

This study explored the level and selected determinants of burnout among five groups of healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, paramedics, other medical and nonmedical staff) working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022, with the use of a self-administered mostly online survey. The BAT-12 scale was used to measure burnout, and the PSS-4 scale was used to measure stress. The sample was limited to 2196 individuals who worked with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of multivariate logistic regression models with three to nine predictors was estimated. The prevalence of burnout ranged from 27.7% in other nonmedical staff to 36.5% in nurses. Adjusting for age and gender, both physicians (p = 0.011) and nurses (p < 0.001) were at higher risk of burnout. In the final model, elevated stress most likely increased the risk of burnout (OR = 3.88; 95%CI <3.13-3.81>; p < 0,001). Other significant predictors of burnout included traumatic work-related experience (OR =1.91, p < 0.001), mobbing (OR = 1.83, p < 0.001) and higher workload than before the pandemic (OR = 1.41, p = 0.002). Only 7% of the respondents decided to use various forms of psychological support during the pandemic. The presented research can contribute to the effective planning and implementation of measures in the face of crisis when the workload continues to increase.

Fatal mobbing and attack of the common cuckoo by its warbler hosts.

Nest defense is an effective strategy of hosts against parasites. Typically, hosts will aggressively attack brood parasites that approach or visit their nests, which can prevent the parasites from laying eggs or may even lead to the death of the parasites. Few previous studies have specifically reported such fatal cases involving brood parasites and have attributed the cause of death to either drowning or hypothermia after falling into the water following an attack from hosts. In this study, we recorded the process of multiple host individuals of the Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) mobbing and attacking a female common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) in the field. We discovered that the immediate cause of the cuckoo's death was the fatal physical damage resulting from the aggressive defense from the hosts, suggesting that frantic pecking and scratching by the hosts is the most proximate cause of mortality among egg-laying female cuckoos. This finding enhances our essential understanding of the effectiveness of host attacks.

Religious and Non-Religious Workplace Mobbing Victims: When Do People Turn to Religious Organisations?

Researchers' interest in the impact of religious-spiritual assistance on victims of violence has increased in recent decades; however, factors that are relevant to workplace mobbing victims who seek such assistance remain poorly investigated. The purpose of this study is to highlight the factors that make spiritual assistance of religious organizations acceptable to religious and non-religious workplace mobbing victims. The study involved 463 adults working in Lithuanian organizations, of whom 79.5 per cent indicated that they were religious. ANOVA and Chi-square tests revealed that the significant factors were similarity of personal and religious values, the relation with the person providing assistance, and the circumstances characterising assistance. This study promotes further scientific discussion on the involvement of religious organizations in helping victims of workplace mobbing and explains why religious and non-religious individuals seeking assistance turn to religious organizations. The article presents only a part of the research results of the implemented project.

Does bullying in the hospital affect the health-related quality of life of health professionals?

BACKGROUND: This study investigates workplace harassment among Greek NHS employees and its impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we highlight that the consequences of workplace harassment and the concomitant damaged satisfaction can negatively affect health-related quality of life in Public Hospitals. METHODS: A sample of 343 employees from five Athens-based hospitals, including doctors, nurses, administrative and technical personnel, completed the Greek versions of the Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terrorization (LIPT) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with mobbing, and adjusted odds ratios were computed. RESULTS: Out of the 37.5% of the employees who reported experiencing mobbing, 22.7% were bullied daily, and 49.2% almost daily. Furthermore, 66.7% were bullied by colleagues of the same grade, while 58.7% were from superiors. Regarding HRQoL, all SF-36 dimension scores were significantly lower (p < 0.001) for the mobbing victims, compared to others not having suffered workplace harassment. CONCLUSION: The existence of mobbing in the Greek NHS is evident, and that harms health. Preventing workplace harassment should be high on policymakers' agendas to improve human resource management and health system performance.

Neotropical Birds Respond Innately to Unfamiliar Acoustic Signals.

AbstractMany animals respond to heterospecific signals that indicate the presence of food or predators. Although the benefits of responding are clear, the behavioral and cognitive mechanisms underlying responses are not. Whether responses are learned, innate, or an epiphenomenon created by following other species as they respond to signals remains unknown because most studies have involved respondents that are sympatric with their heterospecific signalers and that have therefore had opportunities to learn their signals. In this study, we tested the mechanisms underlying avian responses to heterospecific chick-a-dee calls. All North American parids produce chick-a-dee calls in response to arousing stimuli, such as food and predators, and diverse species respond by approaching the caller and consuming the food or mobbing the predator. We broadcast chick-a-dee calls plus two control stimuli in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Brazil, where no parids ever occur. We conducted our trials in the winter, when Neotropical migrants that might be familiar with chick-a-dee calls were present, and in the temperate breeding season, when migrants were absent. Across 138 trials, 38 resident species from 14 families and four orders responded to chick-a-dee calls by approaching to within 5 m of the playback speaker. A phylogenetic logistic regression showed that whether a species responded was not significantly associated with the species' mean body mass or the structural similarity between its calls and chick-a-dee calls. Residents were significantly more likely to approach chick-a-dee calls than either control stimulus. This pattern was unaffected by the presence of migrants, thus demonstrating that the observed responses are innate. Our study shows that learning cannot fully explain responses to heterospecific chick-a-dee calls and that structural features distinguishing these calls from other vocalizations are important.

Anti-Predation Responses to Conspecific versus Heterospecific Alarm Calls by the Nestlings of Two Sympatric Birds.

Predation is generally the main cause of bird mortality. Birds can use acoustic signals to increase their predation survival. Bird response to mobbing alarm calls is a form of anti-predation behavior. We used a playback technique and acoustic analysis to study the function of mobbing alarm calls in the parent-offspring communication of two sympatric birds, the vinous throated parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbianus) and oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis). The chicks of these two species responded to conspecific and heterospecific mobbing alarm calls by suppressing their begging behavior. The mobbing alarm calls in these two species were similar. Mobbing alarm calls play an important role in parent-offspring communication, and chicks can eavesdrop on heterospecific alarm calls to increase their own survival. Eavesdropping behavior and the similarity of alarm call acoustics suggest that the evolution of alarm calls is conservative and favors sympatric birds that have coevolved to use the same calls to reduce predation risk.

Borderline states: a topography of contemporary psyche.

This paper presents a discussion of issues concerning the concept of borderline personality disorder. We start from the constitution of the borderline structure, and move towards understanding particular aspects of borderline development, both on an individual and a collective level. This discussion is based on the examination of a progression in three different concentric circles: first, the context of child-parent relationships; second, interpersonal relationships established in the school environment; and, finally, an amplification of some aspects of contemporary culture that could be related to the current importance of this condition.

Cet article présente une discussion sur les questions relatives au concept de trouble de la personnalité borderline. Nous partons de la constitution de la structure borderline, pour aller ensuite vers la compréhension d'aspects particuliers du développement borderline, à la fois au niveau individuel et collectif. La discussion est fondée sur l'étude d'une progression dans trois cercles concentriques différents: premièrement le contexte des relations enfant-parent, deuxièmement les relations interpersonnelles établies dans l'environnement scolaire, et en dernier une amplification de certains aspects de la culture contemporaine qui pourraient rendre compte de l'importance actuelle de ce trouble.

El presente trabajo presenta una discusión sobre temas que conciernen al concepto del trastorno límite de la personalidad (borderline). Comenzamos con la constitución de la estructura borderline, para luego movernos hacia la comprensión de aspectos particulares del desarrollo borderline, tanto a nivel individual como colectivo. La discusión se basa en el análisis de la progresión a través de tres círculos concéntricos: primero, el contexto de la relación parental; segundo, las relaciones interpersonales en el contexto escolar; y finalmente una amplificación de ciertos aspectos de la cultura contemporánea que podrían estar relacionados con la importancia actual de esta condición.

Este artigo apresenta uma discussão de questões relacionadas ao conceito de transtorno de personalidade limítrofe. Partimos da constituição da estrutura limítrofe e avançamos para a compreensão de aspectos particulares do desenvolvimento limítrofe, tanto em nível individual quanto coletivo. A discussão baseia-se no exame de uma progressão em três círculos concêntricos diferentes: primeiro, o contexto das relações filho-pai; segundo, as relações interpessoais estabelecidas no ambiente escolar; e, finalmente, uma ampliação para alguns aspectos da cultura contemporânea que poderiam estar relacionados à importância atual dessa condição.

The evaluation of mobbing cases in the healthcare sector based on Supreme Court case law in Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine mobbing in the health sector based on the Supreme Court case law. DESIGN AND METHODS: The data were accessed on the website of the Supreme Court. Searches were made using mobbing and health-related keywords and filters. As a result, 43 lawsuits were included. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the cases occurred in private hospitals. Hospital managers were accused of mobbing in 88% of cases. In 30% of cases, nurses were plaintiffs. Also, 45% of cases involved an attack on the occupational situation of employees. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is important to develop policies specific to mobbing behavior in the workplace at the macro level and to consider legislation and management monitoring by health managers and especially nurse managers at the micro level.

High Performance Work Systems, Justice, and Engagement: Does Bullying Throw a Spanner in the Works?

High performance work systems (HPWS) have typically been shown to positively influence employee attitudes and well-being. Research in the realm of HPWS has, in this respect, established a clear connection between these systems and employee engagement through organizational justice. In this study, we analyzed if being bullied affects this relationship. Using reasoning from Affective Events Theory (AET), we expected that the positive association between HPWS and engagement through perceptions of organizational justice is impaired by experiences of workplace bullying. Moreover, we expected a remaining direct effect between HPWS and engagement, also attenuated by bullying. Our results in a sample of service workers in Finland (n = 434) could not support the moderating role of bullying in the indirect effect. Workplace bullying did, however, impair the remaining direct relationship indicating it disrupts the positive effect of HPWS on engagement. In all, whereas HPWS were found to be beneficial for not bullied respondents, it was associated with decreased engagement for the bullied. Our findings further underscore the importance of preventing bullying in our workplaces, as it may significantly alter the outcomes of positively intended HR practices into an undesired result.

Intervention types and their effects on workplace bullying among nurses: A systematic review.

AIM: We aim to integrate the literature on workplace bullying among nurses and identify characteristics of anti-bullying interventions. BACKGROUND: Workplace bullying in nursing is a major concern, potentially affecting nursing practice, patient outcomes and nurses' health. EVALUATION: PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsychINFO were searched for English articles published between January 2011 and December 2020 on workplace bullying among nurses. Eight articles were selected, and quality assessment and data extraction followed. KEY ISSUES: Although the studies employed various intervention approaches, their workplace bullying conceptualizations and instruments varied, as did the outcome variables selected to assess the effects of the intervention. CONCLUSION: Anti-bullying interventions were effective, and the methods of their delivery have diversified. However, issues such as the lack of conceptual clarity, intervention specificity and elaboration remain unaddressed. Further studies are needed to develop updated and standardized instruments to tailor anti-bullying interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Upgraded intervention strategies that reflect the contemporary nursing context and participant characteristics are warranted to ensure workplace bullying prevention. Active intervention by upper management is essential to develop and implement effective workplace bullying interventions.

[Conceptual Determination of Cyberbullying and Subjective Strain of Persons Affected]. / Begriffliche Eingrenzung von Cybermobbing und subjektive Belastung für Betroffene.

This paper addresses the definition of cyberbullying. The emancipation of this term during the past decade is described and put in contrast to traditional bullying. Furthermore, themeaning of the subjective strain of affected persons is explored, which is largely neglected in definitions and the state of the art of cyberbullying. This is based in empirical data of 40 qualitative interviews of adolescents who were 13 to 17 years old.The explorative examination was based in the GroundedTheory.These demonstrate insistently several aspects of the subjective strain from which victims suffer. Overall, the findings indicate that a holistic view on cyberbullying should not exclude the subjective perception of affected persons. In contrary, it should rather address them through further research.