Testing the Work Environment Hypothesis of Bullying on a Group Level of Analysis: Psychosocial Factors as Precursors of Observed Workplace Bullying

The present paper scrutinises the work environment hypothesis of bullying by examining relationships between psychosocial factors at work and bullying within departments on a group level of analysis, as compared to the many studies executed on an individual level of analysis. Relationships between q...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied psychology 2011-07, Vol.60 (3), p.475-495
Main Authors: Skogstad, Anders, Torsheim, Torbjørn, Einarsen, Ståle, Hauge, Lars Johan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Bullying
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Group dynamics
Hypotheses
Leadership
Occupational psychology
Organizational behavior
Psychological aspects
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychosocial factors
Social climate
Studies
Work condition. Job performance. Stress
Work environment
Workplaces
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Summary:The present paper scrutinises the work environment hypothesis of bullying by examining relationships between psychosocial factors at work and bullying within departments on a group level of analysis, as compared to the many studies executed on an individual level of analysis. Relationships between quantitative demands, job control, role demands, leadership behaviour and social climate, and observed bullying were studied in a convenience sample consisting of 276 departments with a total of 4,064 respondents. Between‐group bivariate correlations showed relatively strong relationships (r > .52) between the predictors social climate, leadership behaviour, and role demands, respectively, and observed bullying in the department. A two‐factor higher‐level model was formulated for the independent variables yielding two latent factors reflecting an interpersonal domain and a task‐oriented domain, where the former was strongly associated with observed bullying at a group level of analysis (Beta =−.73), while the last factor yielded an insignificant contribution. The results confirm that a poor social work environment exists within departments in which bullying takes place, hence, yielding further support to the work environment hypothesis. In line with the present results, future studies on workplace bullying should include a group level of analysis.
ISSN:0269-994X
1464-0597
DOI:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2011.00444.x