O2B.2 Risk factors for workplace bullying: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction Workplace bullying has a high prevalence in organisations and is associated to several health problems. However compiled information on its risk factors remains a gap in the literature. Thus this study aimed to systematically review risk factors for workplace bullying in an epidemiological approach. Methods Studies were selected by a systematic search in Medline (PubMed) and BIREME (LILACS, IBECS, BINACIS, BDENF, Index Psicologia, WHOLIS, MedCarib and Coleciona SUS) databases. Inclusion criteria were articles in English, Spanish or Portuguese, providing statistical analyses on risk factors for workplace bullying. Quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Downs and Black checklist. PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were used for reporting papers. Results Fifty-one papers were included in the review. 70.6% were from European countries. Women were reported to be at higher risk of being bullied in most studies. The association of age, marital status and personality traits with bullying varied across studies. Authoritarian and laissez-faire leadership styles were positively associated to bullying. Several occupational risks related to the work organisation and psychosocial factors -- such as the stress -- were strongly associated to workplace bullying. Conclusions Findings from this review highlight the central role of organisational factors on bullying determination, in which the human resource management is a key distal factor. Policies to prevent bullying must address the culture of organisations, facing the permanent challenge of developing safe psychosocial work environments.