Bullying

The bullying of nurses by patients, doctors, and employees is common in the healthcare industry. Nurses who are bullied are more likely to experience burnout, and nurses who experience burnout are more likely to intend to quit. However, few studies investigate how leadership can mitigate workplace incivility and nurse bullying as a way to improve nurse retention. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 216 nurses recruited from various regions across the United States from different specialties. A moderated mediation model using path analysis was used to examine the relationships between bullying, burnout, and ethical leadership in predicting intentions to stay. Bullying significantly and positively related to burnout (β = 0.22, p=0.02), and burnout significantly and negatively related to intent to stay (β = -0.18,p=0.01). Perceived ethical leadership predicted intentions to stay (β = 0.62, p=0.00), and ethical leadership moderated the effect of bullying on burnout (β = 0.20, p=0.03). The results of our study also suggest that nurses are less likely to quit when ethical leadership is present, and ethical leadership weakens the effect of bullying on burnout.

AimsTo identify the factors influencing hospital nurses' workplace bullying experiences (victim and perpetrator aspects) focusing on meritocracy beliefs, emotional intelligence, and organizational culture.BackgroundWorkplace bullying remains a major issue in nursing despite decades of research and policy-making. Therefore, comprehensively understanding the individual and institutional factors affecting workplace bullying from both the victim and perpetrator perspectives is crucial.MethodsIn October 2022, 379 nurses working in South Korean tertiary hospitals were surveyed using a self-reported online questionnaire. Meritocracy beliefs, emotional intelligence, workplace bullying experiences, and nursing organizational culture were measured using the Meritocracy Belief Scale, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, and Positive Nursing Organizational Culture Measurement Tool, respectively.ResultsGamma regression analysis revealed that, for workplace bullying, the factors influencing the victim aspect were the experience of witnessing bullying in the workplace, organizational culture, and meritocracy beliefs. In contrast, the factors affecting the perpetrator aspect were emotional intelligence, meritocracy beliefs, and experience of bullying at work.ConclusionDecreasing nurses' degree of meritocratic hubris in a positive organizational culture and increasing their emotional intelligence are necessary to prevent and intervene in workplace bullying. Implications for Nursing Management. Targeted approaches are needed to address and mitigate the detrimental effects of factors influencing workplace bullying. These approaches could include interventions that improve nurses' emotional intelligence, assess their level of meritocracy beliefs, and offer opportunities for self-reflection on meritocratic hubris. Such initiatives may be necessary to effectively tackle workplace bullying and promote a healthier nursing work environment.

ObjectivesTo describe age and gender specific time trends in adolescent violence across 19 countries over 28 years.MethodsThe paper presents analysis of eight cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study from 1994-2022, involving 789,531 children aged 11, 13, and 15. Indicators of violence included physical fighting, school bullying and cyberbullying (from 2018). Log-binomial regression models were used to test for linear temporal trends, with Generalized Estimating Equations used to account for clustering by country.ResultsSchool bullying perpetration and victimization declined over time in each age/gender group in most countries. Similar declines were reported for frequent physical fighting among boys (all ages) and girls (age 15 only). The prevalence of violent behaviour was almost universally higher in boys in the early cycles than in girls, but this gender difference attenuated over time. For cyberbullying, significant increases were observed since 2018 in all groups except age 15 girls in most countries.ConclusionThis analysis of a large cross-national dataset suggests a decline in traditional forms of adolescent violence. However, the increases in cyberbullying warrant further monitoring.

BackgroundFood allergy-related bullying (FARB) is an underrecognized phenomenon that combines the psychosocial harm of peer victimization with the potential for serious physical consequences from allergen exposure. Despite its relevance, data on FARB in Italy are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, forms, and lived experiences of FARB among school-aged children and adolescents with food allergy (FA) using a mixed-methods approach.MethodsWe conducted an observational cross-sectional study between June 2023 and April 2024 at a tertiary Pediatric Allergy Unit in Naples, Italy, adopting a sequential explanatory mixed-method design. Quantitative data on bullying prevalence were collected using the Italian-adapted Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore emotional impact, coping strategies, and perceived support.ResultsSeventy-three children with FA (mean age 10.6 years; 69.9% male) were included. In the previous 2 months, 35.6% reported at least one bullying episode, and 27.4% identified FA as the specific motive. FARB most frequently involved verbal insults, social exclusion, and rumor spreading, mainly occurring in classrooms and perpetrated by small peer groups. Only 60% of affected children reported the episodes, primarily to parents. Qualitative findings highlighted emotional distress, hypervigilance, social withdrawal, inconsistent adult responses, and a strong desire for greater school awareness and protection.ConclusionsFARB is a frequent and multifaceted form of victimization with relevant psychosocial and potential physical implications. Preventive strategies should integrate FA management into school-based anti-bullying policies, staff training, and inclusive educational interventions.