Experiencing Workplace Bullying in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated hair loss condition with substantial psychosocial impact. The impact of AA on social interactions at work has not been established. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We administered the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised Scale to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation database to evaluate workplace bullying in patients with AA. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ultimately, 673/1,120 individuals who met inclusion criteria completed the survey. Most respondents were female (<i>n</i> = 537, 79.8%), Caucasian (<i>n</i> = 508, 75.5%), with an average age of 46.8 ± 14, and employed full-time (<i>n</i> = 427, 63.4%). Our results demonstrate 21.7% (<i>n</i> = 146) of respondents experienced workplace bullying. Participants most frequently faced having their opinions ignored (53.8%, <i>n</i> = 362), being excluded (47.7%, <i>n</i> = 321), and having gossip spread about them (44.0%, <i>n</i> = 296). Notably, 75.0% (<i>n</i> = 120/160) of individuals who self-reported bullying addressed the behavior; however, 30.8% of participants noted the bully continued (30.8%, <i>n</i> = 37). Stress associated with filing a complaint (43.5%, <i>n</i> = 293) and effect on future career options (36.1%, <i>n</i> = 243) were common barriers to report bullying. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study expands our understanding of the psychosocial impact of AA by confirming individuals with AA experience workplace bullying. Stigma against patients may play a role in this phenomenon. Future work is warranted to identify strategies to reduce bullying against patients with AA.

Disease burden, clinical management and unmet treatment need of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata; consensus statements, insights, and practices from CERTAAE (Central/Eastern EU, Russia, Türkiye AA experts) Delphi panel

“…The most common manifestations of such bullying were having their views overlooked (53.8%, n = 362), being ostracized (47.7%, n = 321), and being the subject of rumors (44.0%, n = 296). Intriguingly, 75.0% (n = 120/160) of those who self-identified as victims of bullying confronted the behavior, yet in 30.8% of these instances, the bullying persisted (30.8%, n = 37) (18). While the diagnosis of AA is primarily clinical, there are several nuances and challenges that clinicians encounter in making an exact diagnosis.…”

Bullying and skin diseases

“…13 These events can effect dermatology patients of various age groups, according to certain studies: 18% of elementary school children with alopecia areata had been bullied at least once 14 ; 33.2% of adolescents with atopic dermatitis experienced bullying and 9.1% of them encountered cyberbullying 15 ; 39.2% of students with atopic dermatitis felt bullied because of their skin disease, and 33.9% of workers recalled one or more episodes of professional COMMENTARY discrimination related to atopic dermatitis with colleagues taking advantage or mocking with jokes 16 ; 21.67% of patients with alopecia areata experienced workplace bullying. 17 It would be important to evaluate which interventions could decrease bullying of people with skin diseases and its adverse consequences, for example educational activities in schools, helping in gaining widespread easy access to psychological support may decrease negative psychosocial consequences. 18 Chernyshov et al 19 in their article titled 'Bullying in persons with skin diseases' aimed to examine the prevalence and nature of bullying in patients with skin diseases from six different countries and various age groups.…”

“…Bullying may also negatively impact paediatric skin patients' body image 13 . These events can effect dermatology patients of various age groups, according to certain studies: 18% of elementary school children with alopecia areata had been bullied at least once 14 ; 33.2% of adolescents with atopic dermatitis experienced bullying and 9.1% of them encountered cyberbullying 15 ; 39.2% of students with atopic dermatitis felt bullied because of their skin disease, and 33.9% of workers recalled one or more episodes of professional discrimination related to atopic dermatitis with colleagues taking advantage or mocking with jokes 16 ; 21.67% of patients with alopecia areata experienced workplace bullying 17 …”