Mental Health Problems as a Risk Factor for Workplace Bullying: The Protective Effect of a Well-Functioning
1Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Campus Valla, IBL, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
|June 19, 2021
Summary
Mental health issues can increase workplace bullying risk, especially when organizational order is poor. Sickness presenteeism (SP) also plays a role, highlighting the interplay between individual and organizational factors.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Mental health problems are increasingly recognized as significant workplace stressors.
- Workplace bullying is a pervasive issue with detrimental effects on employee well-being.
- The interplay between individual vulnerabilities and organizational factors in bullying is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mental health problems and subsequent workplace bullying.
- To examine the mediating role of sickness presenteeism (SP) in this association.
- To determine how organizational role clarity and order influence the mental health-bullying link.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design utilizing a probability sample of employees in Sweden.
- Assessment of workplace bullying, mental health, sickness presenteeism (SP), and organizational role clarity and order via questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis to test hypothesized direct, indirect, and moderated effects.
Main Results:
- Mental health problems were associated with an increased risk of subsequent workplace bullying.
- This association was moderated by the level of role clarity and order within the organization.
- Sickness presenteeism (SP) partially mediated the relationship, with its effect also dependent on organizational order.
Conclusions:
- Individual mental health deficits increase bullying risk primarily when coupled with organizational deficiencies.
- Organizational factors like role clarity and order are crucial in mitigating the impact of mental health problems on bullying.
- Interventions should address both individual well-being and organizational environmental factors to prevent workplace bullying.
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