Psychological harassment in the nursing workplace: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychology
• Nursing Studies

Background:

• Psychological harassment, defined as disrespectful or humiliating workplace behavior, disproportionately affects nurses.
• Understanding the prevalence and impact of this harassment is crucial for nurse retention and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the types of psychological harassment in the Spanish nursing workplace.
• To examine the relationship between psychological harassment and sociodemographic variables among nurses.
• To explore the correlation between workplace harassment and nurses' intent to leave the profession or participate in decision-making.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study was conducted with 285 nurses in Spain.
• Data were collected to identify common forms of psychological harassment.
• Statistical analyses explored correlations with sociodemographic factors and professional outcomes.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates of psychological harassment varied based on the assessment criteria used.
• Psychological harassment showed a positive correlation with the desire to leave the nursing profession.
• A negative correlation was found between psychological harassment and nurses' participation in decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Effective evaluation of workplace psychological harassment requires multifaceted approaches.
• Zero-tolerance policies for psychological abuse are essential in healthcare settings.
• Addressing psychological harassment is vital for improving job satisfaction and retention in nursing.