Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2010

01-11-2010 | Original Paper

Association between bullying at work and mental disorders: gender differences in the Italian people

Authors: Giovanni Nolfe, Claudio Petrella, Gemma Zontini, Simona Uttieri, Giuseppe Nolfe

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

In the last few years the international literature has shown an increasing attention for the work as life-event stressor, for its organizational characteristics as well as for job insecurity and interpersonal conflicts.

Methods

We have studied 707 subjects who approached the Work Psychopathology Medical Centre of Naples to evaluate the DSM IV diagnoses and the degree of bullying at the workplace according to Leymann’s definition. Two groups, with high and with low severity of bullying, were compared, mainly in relation to gender differences.

Results

The more frequent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (8.7% of the total), mood disorders (31.5%) and adjustment disorders (58.3%). The patients with higher degree of bullying were 55.7% among the subjects with anxiety disorders, 51.4% among the patients with adjustment disorders and 81.25% in the group with mood disorders. The odds of patients with severe bullying was 1.602 times higher for males than for females. Independently by the gender, the odds of patients being in the group with severe bullying were more than three times higher for subjects with mood disorders than for patients suffering from anxiety and adjustment disorders.

Discussion

In the male gender, the psychiatric disturbances are more correlated to bullying at the workplace and this datum is especially linked to the gender differences found in the relationship between severity of bullying and adjustment disorders. Among female employees the psychopathological dimensions could be linked with a more multifactorial genesis in relation to their psychosocial role in the cultural context we examined (Southern Italy).
Literature
1.
go back to reference Ferrie JE (2001) Is job insecurity harmful to health? J R Soc Med 94:71–74PubMed Ferrie JE (2001) Is job insecurity harmful to health? J R Soc Med 94:71–74PubMed
2.
go back to reference Godin I, Kittel F, Coppieters Y, Siegrist J (2005) A prospective study of cumulative job stress in relation to mental health. BMC Public Health 5:67CrossRefPubMed Godin I, Kittel F, Coppieters Y, Siegrist J (2005) A prospective study of cumulative job stress in relation to mental health. BMC Public Health 5:67CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Wang J (2005) Work stress as a risk factor for major depressive episode(s). Psychol Med 5:865–871CrossRef Wang J (2005) Work stress as a risk factor for major depressive episode(s). Psychol Med 5:865–871CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Stansfeld S, Candy B (2006) Psychosocial work environment and mental health–a meta- analytic review. Scand J Work Environ Health 32:443–462PubMed Stansfeld S, Candy B (2006) Psychosocial work environment and mental health–a meta- analytic review. Scand J Work Environ Health 32:443–462PubMed
5.
go back to reference Romanov K, Appelberg K, Honkasalo ML, Koskenvuo M (1996) Recent interpersonal conflict at work and psychiatric morbidity: a prospective study of 15,530 employees aged 24–64. J Psychosom Res 40(2):169–176CrossRefPubMed Romanov K, Appelberg K, Honkasalo ML, Koskenvuo M (1996) Recent interpersonal conflict at work and psychiatric morbidity: a prospective study of 15,530 employees aged 24–64. J Psychosom Res 40(2):169–176CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Kivimäki M, Virtanen M, Vartia M, Elovainio M, Vahtera J, Keltikangas-Järvinen L (2003) Workplace bullying and the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. Occup Environ Med 60(10):779–783CrossRefPubMed Kivimäki M, Virtanen M, Vartia M, Elovainio M, Vahtera J, Keltikangas-Järvinen L (2003) Workplace bullying and the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. Occup Environ Med 60(10):779–783CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Sanderson K, Andrews G (2006) Common mental disorders in the workforce: recent findings from descriptive and social epidemiology. Can J Psychiatry 51(2):63–75PubMed Sanderson K, Andrews G (2006) Common mental disorders in the workforce: recent findings from descriptive and social epidemiology. Can J Psychiatry 51(2):63–75PubMed
8.
go back to reference Rousse G, Fontana L, Ouchchane L, Boisson C, Gerbaud L, Bourquet D, Perrier A, Schmitt A, Llorca PM, Chamoux A (2008) Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying. Occup Med (Lond) 58(2):112–128 Rousse G, Fontana L, Ouchchane L, Boisson C, Gerbaud L, Bourquet D, Perrier A, Schmitt A, Llorca PM, Chamoux A (2008) Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying. Occup Med (Lond) 58(2):112–128
9.
go back to reference Wilhelm K, Kovess V, Rios-Seidel C, Finch A (2004) Work and mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:866–873CrossRefPubMed Wilhelm K, Kovess V, Rios-Seidel C, Finch A (2004) Work and mental health. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 39:866–873CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Kessler RC, Akiskal HS, Ames M, Birnbaum H, Greenberg P, Hirschfeld R, Jin R, Merikangas KR, Simon GE, Wang PS (2006) Prevalence and effects of mood disorders on work performances in a nationally representative sample of U.S. workers. Am J Psychiatry 163:1561–1568CrossRefPubMed Kessler RC, Akiskal HS, Ames M, Birnbaum H, Greenberg P, Hirschfeld R, Jin R, Merikangas KR, Simon GE, Wang PS (2006) Prevalence and effects of mood disorders on work performances in a nationally representative sample of U.S. workers. Am J Psychiatry 163:1561–1568CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference McDaid D (2007) The economics of mental health in the workplace: what do we know and where do we go? Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc 16(4):294–298PubMed McDaid D (2007) The economics of mental health in the workplace: what do we know and where do we go? Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc 16(4):294–298PubMed
12.
go back to reference Paterniti S, Niedhammer I, Lang T, Consoli SM (2002) Psychosocial factors at work, personality traita and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal results from the GAZEL Study. Brit J Psychiatry 181(2):111–117 Paterniti S, Niedhammer I, Lang T, Consoli SM (2002) Psychosocial factors at work, personality traita and depressive symptoms. Longitudinal results from the GAZEL Study. Brit J Psychiatry 181(2):111–117
13.
go back to reference Niedhammer I, Davide S, Degioanni S, 143 occupational physician (2006) Association between workplace bullying and depressive symptoms in the French working population. J Psychosom Res 61:251–259CrossRefPubMed Niedhammer I, Davide S, Degioanni S, 143 occupational physician (2006) Association between workplace bullying and depressive symptoms in the French working population. J Psychosom Res 61:251–259CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Takeuchi T, Nakao M, Yano E (2008) Symptomatology of depressive state in the workplace. A 20-year cohort study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 43(5):343–348CrossRefPubMed Takeuchi T, Nakao M, Yano E (2008) Symptomatology of depressive state in the workplace. A 20-year cohort study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 43(5):343–348CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Quine L (1999) Workplace bullying in NHS community trust: staff questionnaire survey. BMJ 318(7178):228–232PubMed Quine L (1999) Workplace bullying in NHS community trust: staff questionnaire survey. BMJ 318(7178):228–232PubMed
16.
go back to reference Agervold M, Mikkelsen EG (2004) Relationship between bullying, psychosocial work environment and individual stress reactions. Work Stress 18(4):336–351CrossRef Agervold M, Mikkelsen EG (2004) Relationship between bullying, psychosocial work environment and individual stress reactions. Work Stress 18(4):336–351CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Matthiesen SB, Einarsen S (2004) Psychiatric distress and symptoms of PTSD among victims of bullying at work. Br J Guid Counc 32(3):335–356CrossRef Matthiesen SB, Einarsen S (2004) Psychiatric distress and symptoms of PTSD among victims of bullying at work. Br J Guid Counc 32(3):335–356CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Tehrani N (2004) Bullying: a source of chronic post traumatic stress? Br J Guid Counc 32(3):357–366CrossRef Tehrani N (2004) Bullying: a source of chronic post traumatic stress? Br J Guid Counc 32(3):357–366CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Leyman H, Gustavson A (1996) Mobbing at work and the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Eur J Work Organ Psychol 5(2):251–275CrossRef Leyman H, Gustavson A (1996) Mobbing at work and the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Eur J Work Organ Psychol 5(2):251–275CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Afifi M (2007) Gender differences in mental health. Singap Med J 48(5):385–391 Afifi M (2007) Gender differences in mental health. Singap Med J 48(5):385–391
21.
go back to reference Virtanen M, Koskinen S, Kivimaki M, Honkonen T, Vahtera J, Ahola K, Lonnqvist J (2008) Contribution of non-work and work-related risk factors to the association between income and mental disorders in a working population: the Health 2000 Study. Occup Environ Med 65:171–178CrossRefPubMed Virtanen M, Koskinen S, Kivimaki M, Honkonen T, Vahtera J, Ahola K, Lonnqvist J (2008) Contribution of non-work and work-related risk factors to the association between income and mental disorders in a working population: the Health 2000 Study. Occup Environ Med 65:171–178CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Amagasa T, Nakayama T, Takahashi Y (2005) Karojisatsu in Japan: characteristics of 22 cases of work-related suicide. J Occupat Health 47:157–164 Amagasa T, Nakayama T, Takahashi Y (2005) Karojisatsu in Japan: characteristics of 22 cases of work-related suicide. J Occupat Health 47:157–164
23.
go back to reference Conroy C (1989) Suicide in the workplace: incidence, victim characteristics, and external cause of death. J Occup Med 31:847–851CrossRefPubMed Conroy C (1989) Suicide in the workplace: incidence, victim characteristics, and external cause of death. J Occup Med 31:847–851CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference World Health Organization (2002) The world health report: 2001. Mental health: new understanding, new hope. NLM Classification: WA 540.1. WHO, Geneva World Health Organization (2002) The world health report: 2001. Mental health: new understanding, new hope. NLM Classification: WA 540.1. WHO, Geneva
25.
go back to reference Tyssen R, Vaglum P, Gronvold NT, Ekberg O (2000) The impact of job stress and working condition on mental health problems among junior house officers (medical interns). A nationwide Norwegian prospective cohort study. Med Educ 34:374–384CrossRefPubMed Tyssen R, Vaglum P, Gronvold NT, Ekberg O (2000) The impact of job stress and working condition on mental health problems among junior house officers (medical interns). A nationwide Norwegian prospective cohort study. Med Educ 34:374–384CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Rospenda KM, Fujishiro K, Shannon CA, Richman JA (2008) Workplace harassment, stress, and drinking behavior over time: gender differences in a national sample. Addict Behav 33(7):964–967CrossRefPubMed Rospenda KM, Fujishiro K, Shannon CA, Richman JA (2008) Workplace harassment, stress, and drinking behavior over time: gender differences in a national sample. Addict Behav 33(7):964–967CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Ostry AS, Radi S, Louie AM, LaMontagne AD (2006) Psychosocial and other working condition in relation to body mass index in a representative sample of Australian workers. BMC Public Health 6:53CrossRefPubMed Ostry AS, Radi S, Louie AM, LaMontagne AD (2006) Psychosocial and other working condition in relation to body mass index in a representative sample of Australian workers. BMC Public Health 6:53CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Lallukka T, Laaksonen M, Martikainen P, Sarlio-Lähteenkorva S, Lahelma E (2005) Psychosocial working condition and weight gain among employees. Int J Obes (Lond) 29(8):909–915CrossRef Lallukka T, Laaksonen M, Martikainen P, Sarlio-Lähteenkorva S, Lahelma E (2005) Psychosocial working condition and weight gain among employees. Int J Obes (Lond) 29(8):909–915CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Bjorkvist K, Osterman K, Hjelt-Back M (1994) Aggression among university employees. Aggress Behav 20(3):173–184CrossRef Bjorkvist K, Osterman K, Hjelt-Back M (1994) Aggression among university employees. Aggress Behav 20(3):173–184CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Rospenda KM, Richman JA, Wislar JS, Flaherty JA (2000) Chronicity of sexual harassment and generalized workplace abuse: effects on drinking outcomes. Addiction 95(12):1805–1820CrossRefPubMed Rospenda KM, Richman JA, Wislar JS, Flaherty JA (2000) Chronicity of sexual harassment and generalized workplace abuse: effects on drinking outcomes. Addiction 95(12):1805–1820CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Shannon CA, Rospenda KM, Richman JA (2007) Workplace harassment patterning, gender, and utilization of professional service: findings from US national study. Soc Sci Med 64(6):1178–1191CrossRefPubMed Shannon CA, Rospenda KM, Richman JA (2007) Workplace harassment patterning, gender, and utilization of professional service: findings from US national study. Soc Sci Med 64(6):1178–1191CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Cheng Y, Kawachi I, Coakley EH, Schwartz J, Colditz G (2000) Association between psychosocial work characteristics and health functioning in American women: prospective study. BMJ 320:1432–1436CrossRefPubMed Cheng Y, Kawachi I, Coakley EH, Schwartz J, Colditz G (2000) Association between psychosocial work characteristics and health functioning in American women: prospective study. BMJ 320:1432–1436CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Leach LS, Christensen H, Mackinnon AJ, Windsor TD, Butterworth P (2008) Gender differences in depression and anxiety across the adult lifespan: the role of psychosocial mediators. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 43:983–998CrossRefPubMed Leach LS, Christensen H, Mackinnon AJ, Windsor TD, Butterworth P (2008) Gender differences in depression and anxiety across the adult lifespan: the role of psychosocial mediators. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 43:983–998CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association (1994) DSM-IV diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn, Washington DC American Psychiatric Association (1994) DSM-IV diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn, Washington DC
35.
go back to reference Leymann H (1990) Mobbing and psychological terror at workplace. Violence Vict 5(2):119–126PubMed Leymann H (1990) Mobbing and psychological terror at workplace. Violence Vict 5(2):119–126PubMed
36.
go back to reference Giovanni N, Petrella C, Blasi F, Zontini G, Giuseppe N (2008) Psychopathological dimension of harassment in the workplace (mobbing). Int J Ment Health 36(4):70–88 Giovanni N, Petrella C, Blasi F, Zontini G, Giuseppe N (2008) Psychopathological dimension of harassment in the workplace (mobbing). Int J Ment Health 36(4):70–88
37.
go back to reference Varhama LM, Björkqvist K (2004) Conflicts, workplace bullying and burnout problems among municipal employees. Psychol Rep 94(3 Pt 2):1116–1124 Varhama LM, Björkqvist K (2004) Conflicts, workplace bullying and burnout problems among municipal employees. Psychol Rep 94(3 Pt 2):1116–1124
38.
go back to reference Goodwin RD, Gotlib IH (2004) Gender differences in depression: the role of personality factors. Psychiatry Res 126:135–142CrossRefPubMed Goodwin RD, Gotlib IH (2004) Gender differences in depression: the role of personality factors. Psychiatry Res 126:135–142CrossRefPubMed
39.
go back to reference Kendler KS, Kuhn JW, Prescott CA (2004) The interrelationship of neuroticism, sex, and stressfull life events in the prediction of episodes of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 161(4):631–636 Kendler KS, Kuhn JW, Prescott CA (2004) The interrelationship of neuroticism, sex, and stressfull life events in the prediction of episodes of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 161(4):631–636
40.
go back to reference Nazroo JY, Edwards AC, Brown GW (1997) Gender differences in the onset of depression following a shared life events: a study of couples. Psychol Med 27:9–19CrossRefPubMed Nazroo JY, Edwards AC, Brown GW (1997) Gender differences in the onset of depression following a shared life events: a study of couples. Psychol Med 27:9–19CrossRefPubMed
41.
go back to reference Gater R, Tansella M, Korten A, Tiemens BG, Mavreas VG, Olatawura MO (1998) Sex differences in the prevalence and detection of depressive and anxiety disorders in general health care settings: report from the World Health Organization Collaborative Study on psychological problems in general health care. Arch Gen Psychiatry 55:405–413CrossRefPubMed Gater R, Tansella M, Korten A, Tiemens BG, Mavreas VG, Olatawura MO (1998) Sex differences in the prevalence and detection of depressive and anxiety disorders in general health care settings: report from the World Health Organization Collaborative Study on psychological problems in general health care. Arch Gen Psychiatry 55:405–413CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Steiner M, Dunn E, Born L (2003) Hormones and mood: from menarche to menopause and beyond. J Affect Disord 74(1):67–83CrossRefPubMed Steiner M, Dunn E, Born L (2003) Hormones and mood: from menarche to menopause and beyond. J Affect Disord 74(1):67–83CrossRefPubMed
43.
44.
go back to reference Deecher D, Andree TH, Sloan D, Schechter LE (2008) From menarche to menopause: exploring the underlying biology of depression in women experiencing hormonal changes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 33(1):3–17CrossRefPubMed Deecher D, Andree TH, Sloan D, Schechter LE (2008) From menarche to menopause: exploring the underlying biology of depression in women experiencing hormonal changes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 33(1):3–17CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Association between bullying at work and mental disorders: gender differences in the Italian people
Authors
Giovanni Nolfe
Claudio Petrella
Gemma Zontini
Simona Uttieri
Giuseppe Nolfe
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2010
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0155-9

Other articles of this Issue 11/2010

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2010 Go to the issue