Gender Differences in the Association between Workplace Bullying and Depression among Korean Employees

Abstract

Workplace bullying is a prevalent issue with a significant impact on employees’ mental health. This study aimed to explore the relationship between workplace bullying and the prevalence of depression, with a particular focus on the role of gender. A total of 12,344 Korean employees aged 19–65 years were included in the study. They completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and a score of 16 or higher in CES-D indicated depression. The association between workplace bullying and depression was analyzed using logistic regression analyses. The average CES-D scores were higher for both male and female employees who experienced bullying than for those who did not (p < 0.001). The association between the experience of workplace bullying and the prevalence of depression was statistically significant for both genders, with a stronger correlation observed among male employees (p for interaction < 0.001). Organizations are urged to address workplace bullying, particularly for male employees, through the implementation of anti-bullying strategies and policies, as well as the provision of mental health resources and support.

Revealing the Confluences: Workplace Bullying and Suicidality Independent of Depression Presence

“…Studies examining the gender association between workplace bullying and mental health have been inconsistent, but studies conducted in Italy and Korea have highlighted a higher correlation between deteriorated mental health due and workplace bullying in male employees. It might be because men's mental health appears to be focused within the workplace and the societal pressure for men (masculinity) to endure bullying may contribute to a higher reporting threshold 5,50 . Additionally, lower-level middle managers may be at higher risk of deteriorating mental health due to workplace bullying as presumed from age and income perspectives.…”

“…In recent decades, with a growing global interest in workplace bullying, multiple studies have established its association with poor mental and physiological health including depression, anxiety, and insomnia as signi cant risk factors [3][4][5][6][7][8] . Between workplace bullying and suicidality, studies in Scandinavia [9][10][11] , Europe 12 , the America 13 and Australia 14 have noted signi cant positive correlations.…”

“…Despite the implementation of legislative measures, a comprehensive analysis of work-related disease certi cates related to suicide, conducted by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in 2022, revealed that among the approved cases of 39 suicides, 'workplace bullying and harassment' was identi ed as the leading cause, accounting for 33% 24 . Furthermore, in terms of the speci c criteria of workplace bullying within the law, there is an argument that emphasize the need for a distinction between one-time and sustained, repetitive bullying 5 .…”