Perceived ability to defend oneself against negative treatment at work: Gender differences and different types of bullying behaviours

Abstract

A lack of ability to defend oneself against bullying behaviour is considered a defining aspect of workplace bullying. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects perceived ability to defend has on exposure to bullying behaviour, and whether there are gender differences as well as differences regarding the type of bullying behaviour one is exposed to. The study is based on a longitudinal probability sample drawn from the whole Swedish workforce. The final sample size (394 participants, 43% men and 57% women) included only those who responded at both time points and who reported exposure to at least one bullying behaviour. The results showed that perceived ability to defend oneself only had a protective effect on bullying behaviours for male targets exposed to direct types of bullying behaviours. The study is an important contribution to the understanding of workplace bullying as a concept by showing that the perception of being able to protect oneself from bullying behaviour, in most cases, has little or no effect on the levels of bullying behaviour, and thereby on further escalation of the exposure, especially for women. An implication of the results is that organisations and employers must actively intervene in the early stages of the bullying process rather than believing that the targeted worker is able to deal with or withstand the exposure on their own.