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Risk Factors for Workplace Bullying: A Systematic Review

Author

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  • Fernando R. Feijó

    (Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, 96030-000, Brazil
    Centre for Health Sciences, Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, 44574-490, Brazil)

  • Débora D. Gräf

    (Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, 96030-000, Brazil)

  • Neil Pearce

    (Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK)

  • Anaclaudia G. Fassa

    (Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, 96030-000, Brazil)

Abstract

Objective : The goal of this study was to systematically review risk factors for workplace bullying. Methods : The search was carried out in two databases. Studies with estimates of risk factors for workplace bullying were included in the review. We assessed the quality of the selected studies using an adapted version of the Downs and Black checklist. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were used for reporting papers. Results : Fifty-one papers were included, and 70.6% were from European countries. Women were reported to be at higher risk of being bullied in most studies (odds ratio (OR) from 1.17 to 2.77). Authoritarian and laissez-faire leadership styles were positively associated with bullying. Several psychosocial factors, such as stress (OR from 1.37 to 4.96), and occupational risks related to work organization, such as flexible work methods, role conflict, role ambiguity, monotonous or rotating tasks, high demands, pressure of work, and unclarity of duties were strongly associated with bullying. Discussion : The findings highlight the central role of organizational factors in bullying. Policies to prevent bullying must address the culture of organizations, facing the challenge of developing a new management and leadership framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando R. Feijó & Débora D. Gräf & Neil Pearce & Anaclaudia G. Fassa, 2019. "Risk Factors for Workplace Bullying: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-25, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:11:p:1945-:d:236271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Antonio Ariza-Montes & Noel M. Muniz R. & Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez & Antonio G. Leal-Millán, 2014. "Workplace Bullying among Managers: A Multifactorial Perspective and Understanding," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, March.
    2. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    3. Bart Verkuil & Serpil Atasayi & Marc L Molendijk, 2015. "Workplace Bullying and Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis on Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Antonio Ariza-Montes & Noel M. Muniz & María José Montero-Simó & Rafael Angel Araque-Padilla, 2013. "Workplace Bullying among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, July.
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    5. Yiqiong Li & Michelle R. Tuckey & Annabelle M. Neall & Alice Rose & Lauren Wilson, 2023. "Changing the Underlying Conditions Relevant to Workplace Bullying through Organisational Redesign," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-27, February.
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    7. Mehwish Iftikhar & Muhammad Imran Qureshi & Shazia Qayyum & Iram Fatima & Sriyanto Sriyanto & Yasinta Indrianti & Aqeel Khan & Leo-Paul Dana, 2021. "Impact of Multifaceted Workplace Bullying on the Relationships between Technology Usage, Organisational Climate and Employee Physical and Emotional Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-19, March.
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    9. Levia Levia & Gurvinder Kaur, 2023. "Targets’ Coping Responses to Workplace Bullying with Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Tolerance: A Two-Phased Study of Faculty in Higher Education Institutions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Jin Ah Kim, 2023. "Bullying Experiences of Workers in Small-Sized Workplaces: A Phenomenological Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-14, October.
    11. Catalina Sau Man Ng & Victor C. W. Chan, 2021. "Prevalence of Workplace Bullying and Risk Groups in Chinese Employees in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-11, January.
    12. Lena Serafin & Aleksandra Kusiak & Bożena Czarkowska-Pączek, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic Increased Burnout and Bullying among Newly Graduated Nurses but Did Not Impact the Relationship between Burnout and Bullying and Self-Labelled Subjective Feeling of Being Bullied," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, February.
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