Individual consequences of workplace bullying : a study on a sample of victims seeking health care

Research has evidenced that workplace bullying may have severe consequences on victims’ health, including psychosomatic illnesses, emotional disorders, and the life context, e.g. social isolation. A study was conducted on a sample of patients reporting exposure to bullying and seeking health care at the Service for Stress and Harassment of the “Clinica del Lavoro Luigi Devoto” in Milan. The Service, activated in 1996, carries out diagnostic activities as well as preventive/rehabilitation interventions on patients reporting health outcomes consequent to occupational stress. It is a public hospital centre with a staff of occupational physicians, psychologists, psychotherapists and technicians. An ad-hoc protocol for harassment-related disorder is used including a general medical examination (with a thorough occupational history collection), a psychological interview and a battery of psychological tests. A sample of 226 patients was selected out of 2455 cases examined from 1997 to 2003 for stress-related disorders. The aim of the study was to describe bullying at work, as reported by victims, and health effects, as ascertained by health professionals and psychological tests. Clinical records were analysed. The sample was composed mostly of women (53,1%), and of subjects in the age group 35-54 (76.5%). There was a great variety of jobs, especially white-collars (53.5%) and workers employed in large companies (62%). In one third of the sample, workplace bullying occurred within 4 years from hiring and mostly during company reorganization and changes in management staff. Negative acts included most frequently social isolation and demotion. The most frequently reported symptoms were exhaustion, sleep, mood and sexual disorders. The number of symptoms was not related to bullying duration but to the number and frequency of negative actions. 61.1% of the subjects took psychotropic drugs. Personality profiles were examined and the role of personality discussed. The present study confirms that bullying at work may have a severe impact on health, social relationships and future professional career, and points to the importance of primary prevention.