Recent research highlights how repeated workplace bullying not only triggers serious health issues but also drives victims toward harmful behaviors. Common responses include avoidance coping, excessive alcohol use amid intense negative emotions like anger, fear, and sadness, and 'moral withdrawal'—a tendency to rationalize actions and shirk responsibility for their fallout.
This study breaks new ground by profiling distinct victim groups based on bullying exposure types, frequency, health impacts, and counterproductive behaviors. It also analyzes differences in negative work-related emotions, coping strategies, and moral disengagement.
Drawing from 1,019 Italian employees, the researchers assessed experiences with bullying, counterproductive actions, health complaints, coping methods, workplace emotions, and moral withdrawal.
Five distinct groups emerged: Frequent victims of personal bullying (4.4% of sample) endure high health problems and misbehavior.
Another group faces primarily work-related bullying with less personal attacks (9.6%), showing moderate health issues and misbehavior. They favor problem-solving but struggle with overwhelming negative emotions, poor emotional control, and moral detachment.
A third experiences limited workplace bullying and none personal (22.3%). They report no health issues but occasional counterproductive behaviors.
The fourth group avoids bullying altogether yet shows elevated health symptoms and some misbehavior (23.9%). The largest group reports no bullying, health issues, or behavioral problems (39.9%).
Across groups, negative emotions and emotional regulation prove pivotal, regardless of bullying exposure. In severe cases, moral withdrawal and compensatory behaviors further erode self-regulation.
