The impact of workplace harassment on the level of mental disorders: the moderating role of gender

Abstract

Background Studies prove a positive relationship between mobbing in the workplace and the level of mental disorders. In the present research, it was decided to test whether gender is a moderator of the relationships under consideration. It is well known that women and men experience differences in the general clinical manifestations of certain disorders such as depression, anxiety and addiction. Furthermore, women are more likely to experience mobbing than men. Therefore, it was decided to test whether gender could be a moderator of the relationship between workplace harassment and the level of mental disorders. Participants and procedure Accordingly, a survey was conducted with 220 people aged 22-65 years employed in various Polish workplaces with at least one year of work experience, including 108 women and 112 men, using tools with verified psychometric properties. These were the Negative Action Questionnaire (NAQ) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Results The analyses conducted showed that gender significantly alters the relationship between mobbing and general mental health, levels of somatic disorders, anxiety and insomnia, and symptoms of depression. In terms of psychological wellbeing, men, compared to women, have a much stronger reaction to harassment, both of a personal nature and directly aimed at the work sphere. Conclusions The aforementioned relationships may find practical application in the development of effective methods for the prevention and treatment of the effects of workplace harassment.