Conference article

Two in Ten Feel Excluded from Social Work-related Processes by Workplace Bullying

Anna M. Dåderman
Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, Division of Psychology and Organizational Studies, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden

Ann-Catrin Ohlsson
Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, Division of Psychology and Organizational Studies, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden

Carina Ragnestål-Impola
Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, Division of Psychology and Organizational Studies, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden

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Published in: Independent in the heard: Inclusion and exclusion as social processes. Proceedings from the 9th GRASP conference, Linköping University, May 2014

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 121:2, p. 17-37

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Published: 2015-01-21

ISBN: 978-91-7519-217-8

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

The aim was to investigate (1) the prevalence of workplace bullying experienced by men and women in Swedish workplaces with a high level of stress dominated by one sex, (2) the prevalence of unjust treatment in these workplaces, (3) the relationship between workplace bullying and organizational climate, (4) the variability in bullying in these workplaces, and (5) the variability in organizational climate. These issues were examined using a self-assessment questionnaire in two types of workplace in Sweden: one male-dominated (juvenile detention care) and the other female-dominated (elderly care). About 20% of the participants experienced workplace bullying. There was a positive correlation between bullying and negative communication (strong effect size). There were no differences regarding the type of workplace. The internal consistency of the instrument was high, and we recommend its use in studies of workplace bullying.

Keywords

Workplace bullying; organizational environment; sex differences

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