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Prevalence and association of discrimination and bullying and the impact on mental health in an occupational setting

Elizabeth Stratton (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Michael J. Player (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Ariane Dahlheimer (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Isabella Choi (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)
Nicholas Glozier (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia)

International Journal of Workplace Health Management

ISSN: 1753-8351

Article publication date: 22 September 2020

Issue publication date: 19 January 2021

603

Abstract

Purpose

Discrimination and bullying contribute to mental ill-health in the workplace. At face value, they would seem linked but are often dealt with by different legislations. Workplace studies generally focus on bullying and population studies on discrimination. The authors aimed to evaluate the prevalence and relationship of discrimination and bullying in a male-dominated workforce, associated factors and relative impact on mental ill-health.

Design/methodology/approach

An online cohort survey was conducted amongst employees of an Australian mining company, measuring discrimination, bullying, demographics and workplace and health factors over two months. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses assessed the prevalence of each, their association and their effects on depression and anxiety.

Findings

A total of 580 employees (82% male) participated. There was no association between workplace bullying (n = 56, 9.7%) and discrimination (n = 160, 27.6%). Discrimination, but not bullying, was associated with higher depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation and lower well-being and resilience. After controlling for demographic, workplace and health and well-being factors, depression had the main effect on discrimination ß = 0.39, p = 0.003. Discrimination predicted an increase in depression scores at follow-up F (1, 129) = 4.88, p = 0.029.

Originality/value

In this male-dominated industry, discrimination was more prevalent than bullying. Discrimination, but not bullying, was associated with poorer mental health both cross sectionally and prospectively. Supporting the need to assess and manage discrimination and bullying in the workplace independently and the need for interventions to reduce a broader range of adverse interpersonal behaviours.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: The research was funded by Medibio Pty Ltd, Australia.Competing interests: At collection, MJP held financial interest and consultancy role within the funding company, he longer holds either. He had no direct contact with the participants, or access to their data and was not involved in analysis.Contributors: ES, MJP, IC, AD& NG contributed to the design and conduct of the study. All authors reviewed manuscript drafts and approved the final version. ES, IC & NG had full access to all of the data and ES & NG completed analysis in the study.

Citation

Stratton, E., Player, M.J., Dahlheimer, A., Choi, I. and Glozier, N. (2021), "Prevalence and association of discrimination and bullying and the impact on mental health in an occupational setting", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 32-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-02-2020-0018

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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