Citation

Whitaker T. Work 2012; 42(1): 115-123.

Affiliation

Center for Workforce Studies and Social Work Practice, National Association of Social Workers, 750 First Street, N.E., Suite 700, Washington, DC, USA. Tel.: +1 202 336 8288; Fax: +1 202 336 8307; E-mail: twhitaker@naswdc.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, IOS Press)

DOI

10.3233/WOR-2012-1335

PMID

22635155

Abstract

Objective: This non-experimental, cross-sectional study examined social workers' perceptions of bullying work relationships and their ability to construct effective coping responses to perceived workplace bullying. Methods: Quantitative data were gathered through the use of a mailed questionnaire, and qualitative data resulted from semi-structured individual interviews. Participants: The quantitative sample consisted of 111 social workers from the metropolitan, Washington, DC area, who were employed in organizations. Two self-identified targets of bullying participated in the interviews. Results: Nearly three of five social workers (58%) in the sample reported being the targets of demeaning, rude, and hostile workplace interactions more than once in the previous year. Targets were more likely to work in government agencies/military and mental health outpatient organizations (19% and 18% respectively). More than a third of targets (35%) held a direct service role (clinical/direct practice), whereas almost a third (29%) identified their role as administration or management. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that workplace bullying may be a problem for social workers and that the social work profession may need to develop tools and guidelines to help practitioners identify, confront and extinguish these behaviors.

Language: en