When do poor health increase the risk of subsequent workplace bullying? The dangers of low or absent leadership support

Abstract

Studies have shown that mental health problems may lead to workplace bullying, a so-called reversed effect. The current study investigated if this effect can be found also for poor health in general. When the reverse effect occurs is unclear. Supervisor support has been shown to moderate different antecedents and consequences associated with bullying. It was hypothesized that poor health would be a risk factor for bullying and that a supportive leadership style would moderate this risk. Using a two-wave design with 958 participants, logistic regression was used to test the association between health and workplace bullying. A moderation analysis tested supportive leadership style as a moderator. The study resulted in two novel findings: (a) a supportive leadership style has a strong mitigating effect on bullying behaviours, both directly and as a buffer; (b) poor health in general, including poor physical health, about doubles the risk of becoming a victim of workplace bullying. Together, these two findings make a boundary condition for the reverse effect clearer. The reversed effect only seems to be present when the level of leadership support is low or absent.