Levels of workplace bullying and escalation – a new conceptual model based on cut-off scores, frequency and self-labelled victimization

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identity levels of workplace bullying based on cut-off scores, frequency and self-labelled victimization, and to use these levels to identify the escalation of workplace bullying in terms of onset of different negative acts. Data were collected from a representative sample of the Swedish workforce (n = 1856). Bullying was measured using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised together with self-labelled victimization based on a definition. Other variables included aspects of work experience, perception of the organization, and health and well-being. The results showed differences between the suggested levels of workplace bullying (Risk for bullying and Incipient bullying; Ongoing bullying; and Severe and Extreme bullying) for these variables, and also that different areas were pronounced at different levels of workplace bullying. Further, the onset of different negative acts depended on the level of workplace bullying, at early stages only work-related negative acts, but at higher levels more person-related negative acts. The study contributes to the understanding of workplace bullying and the escalation process. The suggested new levels of bullying also have practical and pedagogical value making it easier to grasp and to convey to, e.g. HR personnel, and organizational psychologists. ARTICLE HISTORY

Exposure to bullying behaviours and support from co-workers and supervisors: a three-way interaction and the effect on health and well-being

“…In our sample, the range was from 22 to 66. According to the definition of workplace bullying, as well as, suggestions of cut-off scores (Notelaers and Einarsen 2013) and levels of bullying (Rosander and Blomberg 2019), this means that many were exposed to bullying behaviours, but not all were bullied. When referring to workplace bullying of just "bullying" onwards we mean an exposure to bullying behaviours without categorizing any individual result as being workplace bullying or not.…”

“…Notelaers and Einarsen (2013) proposed two cut-off scores for determining how to interpret frequency and amount of exposure in relation to workplace bullying. Rosander and Blomberg (2019) suggested levels of bullying where exposure over the lower cut-off together with a lower frequency was framed as the risk of bullying. However, they showed that already when categorized as in risk of bullying the consequences for the experience of work, and one's health were distinct compared to the not bullied.…”

Gender Matters: Workplace Bullying, Gender, and Mental Health

“…The specific negative acts covered by the behavioural experience method may, of course, also be construed differently. Also, aspects such as ability to defend oneself if exposed is not normally part of the measure when using this method, although Rosander and Blomberg (2019) suggested a measure for that as an addition to the behavioural experience method. In all, each method has shortcomings which would speak for using a combination of both methods when studying bullying and gender.…”

“…In terms of criteria for bullying, and of discrepancies in exposure to bullying behaviours and self-labelling, Vie et al (2011) showed that there are negative consequences of exposure to bullying behaviours regardless if it is labelled as bullying or not. Rosander and Blomberg (2019) showed that already those in risk of being bullied, that is, people that are not exposed on a weekly basis and do not self-label as bullied, but still are the target of a number of negative acts at least now and then, report more health and mental health problems than those who are not bullied.…”

“…In a review of research on gender and workplace bullying ( Salin, 2018 ) found that a majority of the included studies point to women being the most exposed. However, there are examples of studies showing men as the most exposed to workplace bullying (see Salin, 2018 ; Rosander and Blomberg, 2019 ). The results are inconclusive and mixed also when it comes to gender differences in the consequences of bullying.…”