IJERPH, Vol. 22, Pages 475: Workplace Bullying and Coping Strategies Among Portuguese Healthcare Professionals
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph22040475
Authors:
Ana Isabel Sani
Mariana Magalhães
Rute F. Meneses
Carla Barros
Workplace bullying is a violent, devastating social phenomenon that affects professionals from various fields. The present study aimed to map the bullying behaviors suffered by Portuguese healthcare professionals in the workplace and the coping strategies they used. In this quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study, 208 Portuguese healthcare professionals participated by completing an online survey consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire and two instruments, the Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised and the Brief COPE. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and victimization, patterns of coping strategy frequency, and the relationship between negative work experiences and coping strategies were analyzed. It was found that only 35 participants self-identified as victims of bullying, and there was no association between victimization and any sociodemographic characteristics. However, it was observed that nurses are more frequently victims of bullying than doctors. Regarding coping strategies, participants on average used more planning and active coping. Moreover, women more frequently used social and emotional support as a coping strategy. Additionally, an association was observed between negative work experiences and coping strategies, with a higher frequency of coping strategies among those who reported more negative experiences. Finally, victims of workplace bullying reported higher use of coping strategies such as venting, distraction, and behavioral disengagement. The results are discussed based on the empirical literature on the topic, and they support reflection on the practical and scientific implications of research on workplace violence, emphasize the potential benefits of our research beyond the individual level, highlight how it could inform policies, improve institutional practices, and foster a healthier work environment for healthcare professionals.
Source link
Ana Isabel Sani www.mdpi.com
