The association between workplace bullying and the mental health of Jordanian nurses and its predictors: A cross-sectional correlational study

Abstract

Background

Bullying at work is a major challenge that harms an employee’s overall well-being, job happiness, and mental health.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between workplace bullying and Jordanian nurses’ mental health.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational design was used in this study, recruiting 146 nurses from three governmental hospitals in Jordan. A convenience sample was used. The study used the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) tool to measure the level of bullying as a negative behavior. Also, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42) was used to assess nurse’s mental status.

Results

Most of the participants 54.8% were victims of frequent workplace bullying, while the mean score of the total DASS-42 scale (M = 43.45). About 64.4% of participants exhibited symptoms of depression, 58.8% exhibited symptoms of anxiety, and 46.6% exhibited symptoms of stress. A significant relationship between workplace bullying and mental health among Jordanian nurses was found (r = 0.75, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bullying at work can harm a person’s mental health, causing stress, worry, and depression. Like other professions, nursing can be the target of workplace bullying, which can take many different forms. However, maintaining a safe and respectful workplace is a priority for healthcare providers including nurses.

LAY SUMMARY

• Bullying at the workplace is prevalent among nurses, mostly among single, rotating shifts.

• More than half of nurses had moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety that affected their mental health status.

• Thorough studies should be conducted to ascertain the prevalence, effect, and consequences of bullying in the workplace among nurses.

• Policies and protocols should take place to prevent workplace bullying among healthcare providers.

• In January 2022, Jordan did have laws and regulations pertaining to work health and safety, including labor law, occupational safety and health legislation, and the Ministry of Labor that had regulations applicable to workplace safety. However, none of these regulations and laws take specific legislation related to workplace bullying.

Keywords:

• Workplace bullying
• nurses
• depression
• anxiety
• stress
• working environment
• negative act

Acknowledgments

The authors of this study want to thank all the nurses who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).