Killing two birds with one stone: how intervening when witnessing bullying at the workplace may help both target and the acting observer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study examines under which conditions being an observer of bullying can be detrimental to health and well-being. It was hypothesized that health-related problems following observations of bullying are determined by (1) whether the observer has been exposed to bullying her/himself and (2) whether the observer have tried to intervene in the bullying situation that they witnessed.

Methods

The study was based on a longitudinal probability survey of the Swedish workforce, with an 18-month time lag between assessment points (N = 1096).

Results

Witnessing bullying at work were associated with an increase in subsequent levels of mental distress among the observers, although this association became insignificant when adjusting for the observers' own exposure to

SUBMITTER: Nielsen MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7872954 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature