Mobbing and its impact on nurses health

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of workplace bullying (mobbing) on nurses health. To explore the consequences of bullying and its influence on patient care.

Continuous exposure to stress due to workplace bullying is associated with an increased risk of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Physical symptoms such as discomfort, fatigue, and angina pectoris, along with significant mental health impacts, were noted. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are prominent health concerns. Additional studies indicate an association with headaches, tachycardia, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, and pseudoneurological symptoms. Back pain, as well as blood pressure variations, also appear in lower frequencies. Workplace bullying detrimentally impacts the psychosocial well-being of nurses. For nurses who have experienced bullying, nursing studies highlight psychological stress, depression, burnout, somatic symptoms, frustration, absenteeism, and lack of concentration as the primary psychosocial consequences. Research findings suggest that bullying contributes to job dissatisfaction, which in turn reduces productivity, degrades job performance, leads to burnout, and increases the intent to leave the profession. Bullying impairs nurses' effectiveness by affecting their mental state and diminishing their ability to seek support, engage in timely communication, and make clinical judgments. Research indicates that bullying may subsequently compromise patient care.

The proven extensive negative effects of bullying, the rapidly increasing shortage of nurses, the importance of education, and open communication about bullying should be considered essential standards for bullying prevention across healthcare systems [1] [2].

Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025

• References

• 1 Rudkjoebing LA. et al. Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scand J Work Environ Health 2020; 46 (04): 339-349
• 2 S. Le Menestrel. Preventing Bullying: Consequences, Prevention, and Intervention Journal of Youth Development. 15 Issue 3.