This article analyses data on bystanders that emerged from a qualitative research project undertaken with 17 social workers who had been targets of workplace bullying. During presentations of the findings, questions that arose from practitioners included: Why do bystanders remain silent? and How may helpful responses be evoked? These questions led to a further review of the literature about the part bystanders play in school and workplace bullying, revealing the finding that bystanders may remain silent because they are simply uncertain about how they can assist when bullying occurs. Workplace wide interventions that educate workers about the negative impact of passivity and help them to become active peer supporters may be particularly effective in overcoming this serious workplace problem. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE• Workplace cultures may be improved by educating all workers about the impacts of workplace bullying and how to prevent this problem, rather than only dealing with difficulties on an individual basis when serious situations arise. Overview of Research Method and FindingsD uring 2004, members of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, the national association of social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, were invited to take part in semistructured interviews about workplace violence. To contain travel costs, the project was limited to five cities. Grounded theory methodology was employed because the topic of collegial workplace violence perpetuated toward social workers by colleagues did not appear to have been previously researched. The research was therefore intended to explore the experiences of participants without setting preconceived limits on the information that would be obtained and on the explanatory theories that might be developed from the data. Grounded theory methodology involves a careful consideration of themes contained in information gained from participants and it is that information that leads to the searching of literature and theorizing, rather than theory driving the research and interactions with the participants (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). The research project was approved by the University of Canterbury human Ethics Committee. Interviews were held in settings that enabled participants to retain confidentiality, and the interviewer made a commitment that no identifying information would be disclosed. At times this meant that the interviewer could not report precise demographic information about participants or contextual information about agencies, but these omissions did not materially impact the outcomes. SampleSeventeen social workers took part in the research, all of whom identified that they had been targeted by bullies in the workplace. Thirteen were women and 4 were men, which is consistent with the average balance of the sexes in the profession. Four were indigenous Maori and 4 were immigrants of European descent. It is of interest that this sample represents a higher than expected number of participants from minority cultural groups, although the sample is ...

The problem of workplace bullying appears to be especially common in the hospitality industry and in health, education, and social services. Bullying results in negative effects on the psychological and physical health and well-being of targets, bystanders, and those accused of bullying. I undertook a qualitative research project to investigate the experiences of 17 New Zealand social workers who identified themselves as having been targets of workplace bullying. All participants had experienced negative physical and psychological health impacts. I also found, however, that in the aftermath of their difficult experiences, most considered that they had eventually developed greater resilience. Resilience was enhanced when participants' sense of control over their situation improved and when they received support from witnesses and managers. I make recommendations to indicate how these resilience-promoting conditions can be achieved in the organizational setting.

Filial piety is a highly relevant cultural mechanism that mediates the impacts of caregiving experiences on Chinese adult children, worldwide but perhaps especially in rural China. We undertook qualitative research with 24 migrant workers who were caring for an elderly parent diagnosed with terminal cancer. Research aims included building a comprehensive explanatory theoretical model for filial piety’s mediating role in caregivers’ lived experiences. We undertook a culturally sensitive Foucauldian discourse analysis of data, which showed that filial piety can not only function as a positive resource but also (mainly) translate to a requirement for secrecy, including about an ill parent’s prognosis and the need for support for caregivers. The findings challenge the extent of this secrecy and the burdens it places on caregivers. Policy makers should take account of the importance of filial piety and its mediating role both as a resource and hindrance to providing support to caregivers.

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