[Work-related stress and mobbing: case series and gender differences]

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Growing international concern exists regarding mobbing (bullying) and work-related stress.
• Limited research has explored gender disparities and etiological factors in mobbing.
• This study addresses the gap by examining gender differences in mobbing and work-related stress victims.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe gender differences in victims of mobbing and work-related stress.
• To identify characteristics of mobbing syndrome victims in an Italian case series.
• To inform preventive strategies by understanding the phenomenon's nuances.

Main Methods:

• An interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation was conducted on 345 outpatients (197 women, 148 men) between 2001 and 2009.
• Diagnosis of "mobbing syndrome" followed international criteria (ICD-10, DSM-IV).
• Cases were differentiated from pre-existing psychiatric conditions or interpersonal conflicts.

Main Results:

• Mobbing syndrome was diagnosed in 35 subjects (a minority of the total examined).
• Women constituted 65% of mobbing syndrome diagnoses, typically with medium to high education, aged 34-45, and in office roles.
• Women experienced harassment related to personal/emotional factors, while men faced issues concerning work content.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender differences exist in mobbing syndrome presentation and triggers.
• Preventive measures require comprehensive information and training for both employees and employers.
• Employers have a legal duty to protect employee mental and physical well-being at work.