A Literature Review of Mobbing Research in Different Sectors

Abstract

This study is a review of research conducted on workplace mobbing in education, higher education and health sectors between 2000 and 2016. In all sectors, prevalence and types of mobbing, sex, age, level of education, seniority, work experience and coping strategies of victims are investigated. Results revealed that mobbing victimization rates are high in Turkey, and the highest rates were found in health institutions. Types of mobbing behaviors are attacks against occupational status in more homogenious groups of professional workers in education sector. On the other hand, attacks against victims’ communication and personal status are involved as well as ocuupational status in heterogeneous groups such as health employees. As a result of hierarchical organizational structure and power distance in Turkish workplace, studies indicate that people experience mobbing at relatively younger ages -at their 30’s- in Turkey and with nearly 5 years of work experience. In connection to this, in all three sectors, people at the lowest levels of job hierarchy experience higher rates of mobbing. Gender and marital status do not have a significant effect on victimization; however, gender affects perceptions of mobbing and coping strategies as a result of traditional gender roles. Finally, in higher education, direct coping mechanisms are adopted while in education and health, indirect and informal ways are put to use.