Factors Affecting Workplace Bullying Perpetration Among Experienced Intensive Care Unit Nurses: A Secondary Analysis...

Aim: Workplace bullying is a critical issue faced by nurses globally. This study aimed to examine factors influencing workplace bullying perpetration among experienced intensive care unit nurses in South Korea, while controlling for organizational culture. Specifically, it investigated how narcissistic personality, perfectionistic self-presentation, and mentalization affected bullying perpetration. Methods: In this cross-sectional secondary analysis, data were collected between July 1 and August 2, 2022; we analyzed data from 287 nurses who fit the inclusion/exclusion criteria. We performed multiple regression analyses to identify factors affecting workplace bullying perpetration. Results: The findings showed that narcissistic grandiosity (β = 0.21, p=0.017), narcissistic vulnerability (β = 0.21, p=0.031), mentalization (β = -0.19, p=0.001), and previous workplace bullying victimization (β = 0.18, p=0.002) were significant predictors. The regression model explained 30.1% of the variance in workplace bullying perpetration. Conclusion: Importantly, narcissistic personality, perfectionistic self-presentation, and mentalization were significantly associated with workplace bullying perpetration among nurses. These findings suggest that understanding the links between individual personality traits and bullying behavior may provide useful insights for developing supportive interventions, such as programs aimed at enhancing mentalization. While the study did not establish causal relationships, the associations highlight potential areas for further research and practice. In addition, organizational efforts to address workplace bullying more broadly are essential to prevent its occurrence and reduce its negative impact.