Beyond the Playground: Bullying in the Workplace and Its Relation to Mental and Physical Health Outcomes

Abstract

11Bullying in the American workplace is not a new phenomenon. Much of the research has focused on speci fi c factors of workplace hostility such as sexual harassment (Dougherty & Smythe, 2004 ) , ethnicity, gender, and age discrimination (e.g., Schneider, Hitlan, & Radhakrishnan, 2000 ) . However, the effects of destructive interpersonal relationships in the workplace on an individual's health and well-being have frequently been ignored or understated. In this chapter, we present a developmental approach to bullying but focus primarily on workplace bullying among adults and the negative consequences that this type of victimization has on physical and mental health correlates. We begin by presenting a biopsychosocial model that explores how being bullied affects mental and physical health. We then examine the construct of bullying, review existing research on bullying in schools (e.g., during childhood and adolescence), and draw parallels between research on workplace bullying and school bullying to bolster the importance of studying bullying across multiple age groups and situations. Next, we explore potential factors that may in fl uence the link between being bullied in the workplace and mental and physical health. Finally, we consider the implications of research on workplace bullying. Theoretical ModelThis chapter proposes an empirically based biopsychosocial stress model that considers being bullied as a chronic social stressor. This biopsychosocial model mirrors the general format of many biobehavioral investigations of health and illness (e.g

The effects of peer relational victimization on social cognition

“…Although peer victimization may peak in adolescence, it is an interpersonal stressor that can occur at any point in the life span (Knack, Iyer, & Jensen-Campbell, 2012; Rex-Lear, 2011). Social sanctions against physical forms of aggression (e.g., charges of assault) spur a decline in this form of victimization from childhood through adulthood (Verona, Sadeh, Case, Reed, & Bhattacharjee, 2008).…”

“…Social sanctions against physical forms of aggression (e.g., charges of assault) spur a decline in this form of victimization from childhood through adulthood (Verona, Sadeh, Case, Reed, & Bhattacharjee, 2008). However, relational forms of aggression remain widespread (Rex-Lear, Knack, & Jensen-Campbell, 2012; Walker, Richardson, & Green, 2000) and being victimized by peers does continue into college (Chapell, Casey, De la Cruz, & Ferrell, 2004; Gros, Stauffacher Gros, & Simms, 2009; Knack et al, 2012; Leenaars & Lester, 2011; Yeung Thompson & Leadbeater, 2013). In a study that specifically compared the use of different forms of aggression in high school versus college, Verona, Sadeh, Case, Reed, and Bhattacharjee (2008) found that there were no differences in self-reported rates of relational aggression between the two age-groups.…”

Workplace Bullying and Burnout: The Moderating Effects of Social Support

“…Studies provide evidence for the negative effects of workplace bullying on both mental and physical health. Victimized employees are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance misuse (Brotheridge & Lee, 2010;Rex-Lear, Knack, & Jensen-Campbell, 2012;Rodriguez-Munoz, et al, 2010) as well as cardiovascular disease, obesity, headaches, and other somatic complaints (Kivimaki, Virtanen, Vartio, Elovainio, & Vahtera, 2003;Rex-Lear et al, 2012). Research has also highlighted the negative effects of workplace bullying on burnout (Deery, Walsh, & Guest, 2011;Giorgi, Mancuso, Fiz Perez, Castiello D'Antonio, Mucci, Cupelli, et al, 2016).…”

Moral Courage Fostering Bystander Intervention Against Workplace Bullying: Findings from an Exploratory Study with a Video-Vignette Procedure

“…What is more relevant to public opinion is that workplace bullying becomes very evident in its negative consequences for targets, organizations, and society. At an individual level, workplace bullying has negative effects on victims' personal health, stress perception, and suicide tendencies (Rex-Lear et al 2012). At an organizational level, workplace bullying has negative effects in terms of lower job satisfaction, lower productivity, and higher turnover intentions (Samnani and Singh 2012 for a review).…”