Workplace Bullying in Public Healthcare: A Complex Issue with Multifaceted Solutions

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Turin have published a new study on workplace bullying in the public healthcare sector, shedding light on the intricate experiences of healthcare workers. The study aimed to identify profiles of workplace bullying, emotional exhaustion, and work engagement in a sample of public healthcare workers in Italy. By exploring job demands, resources, and personal resources, the researchers identified four distinct profiles, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to support staff wellbeing and performance in high-pressure environments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found four profiles of workplace experiences among public healthcare workers: Balanced, Engaged, Bullied Not Stressed, and Bullied & Stressed.
  • These profiles differed significantly in job demands, resources, and outcomes, such as physical and psychological symptoms, intention to quit, performance, and job satisfaction.
  • The study applied the Job Demands-Resources Model to explore how job demands (quantitative demands, perceived injustice, and role conflict) and job resources (quality of the work environment, career development, horizontal and vertical trust, social support) predict these profiles.
  • The research highlights the complexity of public healthcare workers' experiences and the need for strategic interventions to optimize working conditions.
  • The study advises a person-centered approach to support staff wellbeing and performance in high-pressure environments like public healthcare.
  • Authors Francesco Buscema, Laura Lorente Prieto, Daniela Converso, and Lara Colombo from the University of Turin conducted the research.

Statistics:

  • 624 healthcare workers completed an online survey as part of the study.
  • The study used latent factor analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis to identify the profiles.
  • The four profiles identified in the study had significant differences in job demands, resources, and outcomes.
  • The research found that workplace experiences were complex and multifaceted, with different profiles having different needs and outcomes.
  • Additionally, the study highlights the importance of understanding workplace experiences through a person-centered lens to develop effective strategies.

Sources:

  • Should I stay, or should I quit? The effect of bullying, emotional exhaustion and work engagement in public healthcare workers: a latent profile analysis. Journal for Person-Oriented Research, 2025,11(3). (https://www.person-research.org/journal/)
  • Journal for Person-Oriented Research. Lund University Library.
  • Francesco Buscema, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.