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Association of Workplace Bullying and Workplace Vulnerability in the Psychological Distress of Chilean Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Elisa Ansoleaga

    (Faculty of Psychology, Diego Portales University, Santiago 7630103, Chile)

  • Magdalena Ahumada

    (Institute of Public Health of Chile, Santiago 7780050, Chile)

  • Andrés González-Santa Cruz

    (Faculty of Social Sciences and History, Diego Portales University, Santiago 8370127, Chile)

Abstract

Workplace bullying has been identified as a global problem because of its growing magnitude and the harmful effects in victims and organizations. Workplace vulnerability is a component of job precarious1ness that reflects insecurity, fear, and labor uncertainty. This paper aims to analyze the associations between the exposure to workplace vulnerability and psychological distress, and to explore the associations between exposure to workplace bullying and psychological distress, by sex. A cross-sectional and probabilistic survey was applied to a randomly-selected valid sample of 1995 salaried workers in three main metropolitan areas of Chile. Chi-square test and logistic regression models controlling for confounders were tested. Female workers were more exposed to workplace vulnerability and presented a higher prevalence of psychological distress. Among women who were vulnerable, one of three reported psychological distress (30.8%), which is higher than men (16.5%). Workers exposed to workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of workplace bullying, workers who perceived high workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of psychological distress, and workers exposed to workplace violence had a greater likelihood of psychological distress in comparison to those who were not exposed. Increasing employment security can reduce the perception of job vulnerability and help prevent the existence of workplace bullying. Additionally, occupational health protection policies should prevent, protect from, and intervene in workplace bullying as a precursor to mental health problems in Chile.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisa Ansoleaga & Magdalena Ahumada & Andrés González-Santa Cruz, 2019. "Association of Workplace Bullying and Workplace Vulnerability in the Psychological Distress of Chilean Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:4039-:d:278914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Allison Milner & Anna J. Scovelle & Tania L. King & Claudia H. Marck & Ashley McAllister & Anne M. Kavanagh & Marissa Shields & Eszter Török & Adrienne O’Neil, 2019. "Gendered Working Environments as a Determinant of Mental Health Inequalities: A Protocol for a Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-8, April.
    2. J. Antonio Ariza-Montes & Noel M. Muniz R. & Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez & Antonio G. Leal-Millán, 2014. "Workplace Bullying among Managers: A Multifactorial Perspective and Understanding," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Vincent J. Roscigno & Randy Hodson & Steven H. Lopez, 2009. "Workplace incivilities: the role of interest conflicts, social closure and organizational chaos," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 23(4), pages 747-773, December.
    4. Yuhyung Shin & Won-Moo Hur, 2019. "When Do Service Employees Suffer More from Job Insecurity? The Moderating Role of Coworker and Customer Incivility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Dianne Gardner & Michael O’Driscoll & Helena D. Cooper-Thomas & Maree Roche & Tim Bentley & Bevan Catley & Stephen T. T. Teo & Linda Trenberth, 2016. "Predictors of Workplace Bullying and Cyber-Bullying in New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, April.
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    1. Manuel Pabón-Carrasco & Lucia Ramirez-Baena & Nerea Jiménez-Picón & José Antonio Ponce Blandón & José Manuel Martínez-Montilla & Raúl Martos-García, 2019. "Influence of Personality Traits and Its Interaction with the Phenomenon of Bullying: Multi-Centre Descriptive Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-14, December.

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