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Workplace Bullying and Coping Strategies Among Portuguese Healthcare Professionals

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  • Ana Isabel Sani

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa (FCHS-UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research Centre on Child Studies (CIEC), University of Minho (UM), 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research, Innovation and Development Institute of Fernando Pessoa Foundation (FP-I3ID), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Mariana Magalhães

    (Observatory Permanent Violence and Crime (OPVC), University Fernando Pessoa (UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Porto (FPCE-UP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
    Center of Psychology, University of Porto (CPUP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal)

  • Rute F. Meneses

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa (FCHS-UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research, Innovation and Development Institute of Fernando Pessoa Foundation (FP-I3ID), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Health Research Network, University Fernando Pessoa (RISE-UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carla Barros

    (Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa (FCHS-UFP), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Research, Innovation and Development Institute of Fernando Pessoa Foundation (FP-I3ID), Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
    Health Research Network, University Fernando Pessoa (RISE-UFP), 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Workplace bullying is a violent, devastating social phenomenon that affects professionals from various fields. The present study aimed to map the bullying behaviors suffered by Portuguese healthcare professionals in the workplace and the coping strategies they used. In this quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational study, 208 Portuguese healthcare professionals participated by completing an online survey consisting of a sociodemographic questionnaire and two instruments, the Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised and the Brief COPE. The association between sociodemographic characteristics and victimization, patterns of coping strategy frequency, and the relationship between negative work experiences and coping strategies were analyzed. It was found that only 35 participants self-identified as victims of bullying, and there was no association between victimization and any sociodemographic characteristics. However, it was observed that nurses are more frequently victims of bullying than doctors. Regarding coping strategies, participants on average used more planning and active coping. Moreover, women more frequently used social and emotional support as a coping strategy. Additionally, an association was observed between negative work experiences and coping strategies, with a higher frequency of coping strategies among those who reported more negative experiences. Finally, victims of workplace bullying reported higher use of coping strategies such as venting, distraction, and behavioral disengagement. The results are discussed based on the empirical literature on the topic, and they support reflection on the practical and scientific implications of research on workplace violence, emphasize the potential benefits of our research beyond the individual level, highlight how it could inform policies, improve institutional practices, and foster a healthier work environment for healthcare professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Isabel Sani & Mariana Magalhães & Rute F. Meneses & Carla Barros, 2025. "Workplace Bullying and Coping Strategies Among Portuguese Healthcare Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:475-:d:1618445
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Haeyoung Lee & Young Mi Ryu & Mi Yu & Haejin Kim & Seieun Oh, 2022. "A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis of Studies on Workplace Bullying among Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Antonio Ariza-Montes & Noel M. Muniz & María José Montero-Simó & Rafael Angel Araque-Padilla, 2013. "Workplace Bullying among Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, July.
    3. José Pedro Cerdeira & Simona Dobešová Cakirpaloglu & Panajotis Cakirpaloglu, 2023. "Crushing the Spirit: Unmasking the Impact of Workplace Bullying on Psychological Wellbeing among Portuguese Employees," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Ana Rita Valente Ribeiro & Ana Isabel Sani, 2024. "Bullying against Healthcare Professionals and Coping Strategies: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Peihang Sun & Xue Zhang & Yihua Sun & Hongkun Ma & Mingli Jiao & Kai Xing & Zheng Kang & Ning Ning & Yapeng Fu & Qunhong Wu & Mei Yin, 2017. "Workplace Violence against Health Care Workers in North Chinese Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, January.
    6. Rute F. Meneses & Carla Barros & Helder Sousa & Ana Isabel Sani, 2024. "Risks of Ecosystems’ Degradation: Portuguese Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health, Hope and Resilient Coping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
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