Abstract
BackgroundThe attention of international agencies and scientific community on bullying and work-related stress is increasing. This study describes the gender differences found in victims of bullying and work-related stress in an Italian case series and analyzes the critical issues in the diagnostic workup.MethodsBetween 2001 and 2009 we examined 345 outpatients (148 males, 197 females; mean age: 41 ± 10.49) for suspected psychopathological work-related problems. Diagnosis of bullying was established using international criteria (ICD-10 and DSM-IV).ResultsAfter interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation (Occupational Medicine Unit, Psychology and Psychiatry Service), the diagnosis of bullying was formulated in 35 subjects, 12 males and 23 females (2 cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and 33 of Adjustment Disorder). Fifty-four (20 males, 34 females) suffered from work-related anxiety, while work-unrelated Adjustment Disorder and other psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 7 and 112 subjects, respectively. Women between 34 and 45 years showed a high prevalence (65%) of "mobbing syndrome" or other work-related stress disorders.ConclusionsAt work, women are more subject to harassment (for personal aspects related to emotional and relational factors) than men. The knowledge of the phenomenon is an essential requisite to contrast bullying; prevention can be carried out only through effective information and training of workers and employers, who have the legal obligation to preserve the integrity of the mental and physical status of their employees during work.
Highlights
The attention of international agencies and scientific community on bullying and work-related stress is increasing
This study describes gender differences in the victims of bullying and work-related stress examined in the Occupational Medicine Unit of our Institute, and analyzes, from a forensic point of view, the critical issues still present in the diagnostic workup
Classification of Disease) and DSM-IV (Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) indicate two conditions, not necessarily work-related, that are directly related to stress: 1) the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), characterized by behaviors aimed at avoiding any situation that reminds a certain problem, obsessive thinking about work issues, alertness and anxiety; and 2) the Adjustment Disorder (AD), with risk factors and clinical features similar to PTSD, but of less intensity and severity
Summary
The attention of international agencies and scientific community on bullying and work-related stress is increasing. Classification of Disease) and DSM-IV (Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) indicate two conditions, not necessarily work-related, that are directly related to stress: 1) the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), characterized by behaviors aimed at avoiding any situation that reminds a certain problem, obsessive thinking about work issues, alertness and anxiety; and 2) the Adjustment Disorder (AD), with risk factors and clinical features similar to PTSD, but of less intensity and severity. These are the only recognized nosological entities by the Italian workers compensation system. Attention to gender differences in employment is gradually increasing from a sectorial knowledge, concerning few interested researchers, to a widespread information [1,2]
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