The effect of mobbing on the development of depression in anesthesia workers: A prospective, multicenter, observational study

Work. 2024;77(3):993-1004. doi: 10.3233/WOR-230098.

Abstract

Background: Mobbing in the workplace is a critical problem affecting healthcare workers' psychological health and performance. However, there is a lack of data on the relationship between mobbing and depression and a lack of regulations to create a decent working environment.

Objective: We aimed to determine the frequency of exposure to mobbing and the depression levels that may be related to mobbing among the employees of the Anesthesiology and Reanimation Clinic.

Methods: In this multi-center cross-sectional study, employees were evaluated with Leymann's Inventory of Psychological Terror scale and the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results: Of the participants, 86.2% stated that they were exposed to mobbing. The presence of mobbing was also associated with the presence of psychological and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: The frequency of mobbing was relatively high among Anesthesiology and Reanimation clinic employees. Mobbing exposure was found to be associated with a high level of depression. Institutional and legal precautions should be taken, and awareness of mobbing should be increased to eliminate mobbing and its consequences on healthcare workers.

Keywords: Workplace incivility; anxiety; behavioral symptoms; bullying/mobbing; common mental disorders; depression; healthcare workers; occupational stresses.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia*
  • Anesthesiology*
  • Bullying* / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / psychology
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Workplace / psychology