Workplace Bullying and Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis on Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data

Abstract

Background

A growing body of research has confirmed that workplace bullying is a source of distress and poor mental health. Here we summarize the cross-sectional and longitudinal literature on these associations.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analyses on the relation between workplace bullying and mental health.

Results

The cross-sectional data (65 effect sizes, N = 115.783) showed positive associations between workplace bullying and symptoms of depression ( r = .28, 95% CI = .23–.34), anxiety ( r = .34, 95% CI = .29–.40) and stress-related psychological complaints ( r = .37, 95% CI = .30–.44). Pooling the literature that investigated longitudinal relationships (26 effect sizes, N = 54.450) showed that workplace bullying was related to mental health complaints over time ( r = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.13–0.21). Interestingly, baseline mental health problems were associated with subsequent exposure to workplace bullying ( r = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.10–0.27; 11 effect sizes, N = 27.028).

Limitations

All data were self-reported, raising the possibility of reporting- and response set bias.

Conclusions

Workplace bullying is consistently, and in a bi-directional manner, associated with reduced mental health. This may call for intervention strategies against bullying at work.