Workplace bullying and stress within the prison service

Brewer, G ORCID: 0000-0003-0690-4548 and Whiteside, E (2012) Workplace bullying and stress within the prison service Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 4 (2). pp. 76-85. ISSN 1759-6599, 2042-8715

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Abstract

Purpose: Consequences of workplace bullying include increased stress, poor physical and psychological health and low job satisfaction. Workplace bullying is particularly prevalent in professions that may involve a degree of aggression. Despite this, little information exists about the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study aims to investigate the presence of workplace bullying at one British prison. Design/methodology/approach: Employees (n=72) were invited to complete the Work Harassment Scale and the Work Stress Symptom Scale. Findings: A standard multiple regression revealed that direct experience of bullying significantly predicted stress. Factor analyses identified four types of bullying experienced and three types of bullying witnessed by prison employees. Subsequent analyses revealed that experiencing one specific bullying behavior (i.e. dismissive of individual and their work) predicted physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms of stress. Witnessing one form of bullying (i.e. dismissive, personal attack and threats) also predicted the physical and psychological symptoms of stress. Research limitations/implications: The study is reliant on self reported data and employs a relatively small sample. Practical implications: Dismissive behavior in particular is associated with employee stress. Interventions should prioritise this type of workplace bullying. Originality/value: Few studies have considered the nature of workplace bullying in a prison context. The current study details the prevalence of bullying amongst prison employees, the extent to which bullying impacts on employee stress, and the components of bullying that may be most harmful. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	44 Human Society, 52 Psychology, 4410 Sociology, 5201 Applied and Developmental Psychology, Behavioral and Social Science, Mental Health, Violence Research, Basic Behavioral and Social Science, Mental health, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	22 Aug 2018 08:47
Last Modified:	05 Jun 2026 08:38
DOI:	10.1108/17596591211208283
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3025395
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