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Nielsen MB, Rosander M, Einarsen SV. Witnessing workplace bullying - protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual health and well-being outcomes. Syst Rev 2023; 12:119. [PMID: 37430318 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most research on workplace bullying has examined the impact of the mistreatment on those exposed. Although bullying also is assumed to have significant ripple effects on bystanders, the empirical evidence for this line of research is highly fragmented and inconclusive. The overarching aim of this planned systematic review and meta-analysis is therefore to determine whether witnessing bullying of others at the workplace is associated with health problems and lower well-being among the observers. To achieve this aim, the review includes an assessment of which theoretical frameworks and methodological designs used in research so far and shed light on which confounders, mediators, and moderators that have been accounted for. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted. Electronic databases will be searched using pre-defined search terms to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies should report empirical findings on any individual outcome variable assessed among witnesses to workplace harassment and bullying or any overlapping concept. Primary observational studies with cross-sectional or prospective research design, case-control studies, and studies with experimental designs will be included. Qualitative interviews and case studies will be excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with a previously established checklist for studies on workplace bullying. The quality of evidence for an association between witnessing bullying and potential outcomes will be evaluated in accordance with the GRADE system. A random effects meta-analysis will be conducted with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, version 3. DISCUSSION We expect that findings on outcomes of bystanding to workplace bullying will provide practitioners with an understanding of the effects workplace bullying may have also on non-targets and the workplace as a whole. Such information is important regarding the development and implementation of effective measures and interventions against bullying. In addition, the review will increase our understanding of existing research gaps and enable us to make recommendations to address them. Our work aligns with the sustainable development agenda to protect workers and reduce inequalities at the workplace. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO 342006.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Birkeland Nielsen
- National Institute of Occupational Health, PB 5330 Majorstuen, 0304, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Postboks 7807, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Michael Rosander
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ståle Valvatne Einarsen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Postboks 7807, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
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Mazzone A, Pitsia V, Karakolidis A, O'Higgins Norman J. Bullied, bystanders, and perpetrators in the workplace: The role of empathy in teachers and school leaders' experiences. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mazzone
- DCU Anti‐Bullying Centre Dublin City University Dublin Ireland
| | - Vasiliki Pitsia
- Educational Research Centre Dublin Ireland
- University of Nicosia Nicosia Cyprus
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Ong WJ, Lau JH, Abdin E, Shahwan S, Goh JCM, Tan GTH, Samari E, Kwok KW, Subramaniam M, Chong SA. Preliminary development of a bystander intervention scale for depression and the examination of socio-demographic correlates amongst Singapore university students. BMC Psychol 2021; 9:67. [PMID: 33931117 PMCID: PMC8086116 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite peer involvement having a positive impact on help-seeking behavior, there is a lack of a scale quantifying the possibility of an individual intervening upon noticing peers who show signs of depression. The aims of this study were to (1) develop a bystander intervention scale for depression that assesses the likelihood of university students intervening when a peer shows signs of depression based on the theory of bystander intervention, (2) identify the underlying factors contributing to the behavior, and (3) explore the socio-demographic correlates of the scale. Methods The proposed scale, the Bystander Intervention Scale for Depression (BISD), is a 17-item self-reported questionnaire that was developed based on existing bystander intervention theory and inputs from mental health experts. Data was collected as part of a larger study to evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-stigma intervention amongst university students from a local university. A total of 392 participants were recruited. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to identify the underlying factor structure. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to explore the socio-demographic correlates of the scale. Result Four key factors were identified for the proposed scale: (1) Awareness of depression among peers; (2) Vigilance towards possible symptoms of depression; (3) Knowledge on how to intervene; (4) Acceptance of responsibility to intervene. Having experience in the mental health field was associated with all factors while having family members or friends with mental illness was associated with all factors except for knowledge on how to intervene. Students of older age were associated with higher vigilance towards possible symptoms of depression and knowledge on how to intervene. Those of non-Chinese ethnicity were associated with acceptance of responsibility to intervene. Conclusion This study provides a preliminary tool to assess bystander intervention in depression amongst university students. This study identifies sub-groups of the student population that require more education to intervene with depressed peers and also informs the development of future strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jie Ong
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore.
| | - Jue Hua Lau
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Edimansyah Abdin
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Shazana Shahwan
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Janrius Chong Min Goh
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Gregory Tee Hng Tan
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Ellaisha Samari
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Kian Woon Kwok
- School of Social Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mythily Subramaniam
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
| | - Siow Ann Chong
- Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore
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Killing two birds with one stone: how intervening when witnessing bullying at the workplace may help both target and the acting observer. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020; 94:261-273. [PMID: 32929526 PMCID: PMC7872954 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01575-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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 bullying. Intervening against bullying moderated the relationship between observations of bullying and mental health problems. Observers who did not try to intervene reported a significant increase in mental health problems at follow-up, whereas there were no significant changes in levels of mental health problems among those who did intervene. Conclusions the findings suggest that observer interventions against bullying may be highly beneficial for both the targets and observers of bullying. Organizations should therefore invest in ways to increase constructive bystander behavior in negative social situations at the workplace. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00420-020-01575-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Einarsen K, Nielsen MB, Hetland J, Olsen OK, Zahlquist L, Mikkelsen EG, Koløen J, Einarsen SV. Outcomes of a Proximal Workplace Intervention Against Workplace Bullying and Harassment: A Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Among Norwegian Industrial Workers. Front Psychol 2020; 11:2013. [PMID: 32986046 PMCID: PMC7489146 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Workplace bullying is an important and prevalent risk factors for health impairment, reduced workability and lowered efficiency among both targets and observers. Development and tests of effective organizational intervention strategies are therefore highly important. The present study describes the background, design, and protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an organization-wide intervention on preventing workplace bullying with a focus on promoting active and constructive bystander behavior. The main overarching goal is to develop an easy to use and standardized organizational intervention based on theory and research in the role of bystanders in bullying situations with the potential of reducing the prevalence of workplace bullying. The theoretical framework of the study is theory of planned behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). Methods/Design: Using a full randomized control trial (RCT) design, this project will empirically test the outcomes of an intervention program targeting bullying and harassment as the main distal outcomes and perceived behavioral control and helping behavior among bystanders as the main proximal outcome. A 1-year cluster randomized controlled design will be utilized, in which controls will also receive the intervention. About 1,500 workers from two different locations of a Norwegian industrial company will be randomized into one intervention group and two control groups with at least 400 workers in each group. A survey will be conducted electronically. With a total of three assessments over 10-12 months, the time interval between the measurement times will be 4 months. Thus, the data collection will take place at baseline, completion of the intervention and at 4 months follow-up. Discussion: This study primarily aims to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention based on the abovementioned features with the ultimate aim of reducing the prevalence of workplace bullying, by awareness raising and training of bystanders. Manager involvement and involvement of the union representative and the elected health and safety representatives is an important feature of the program. Results of the intervention study will provide important information regarding the effectiveness of preventive interventions against workplace bullying when focusing on bystanders, particularly so regarding the role of bystander awareness, bystander self-efficacy, and bystander behavioral control on the one hand and the prevalence of bullying and harassment on the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Einarsen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, BI Norwegian Business School, Bergen, Norway
| | - Morten Birkeland Nielsen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørn Hetland
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav Kjellevold Olsen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour, BI Norwegian Business School, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lena Zahlquist
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Justine Koløen
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Kvaerner AS, Stord, Norway
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