Witnessing mobbing: Psychological consequences for men and women. A study in Israel

The aim of the study presented here was to analyze mobbing from the witnesses’ point of view: in particular, to contribute to the understanding of the physical and emotional consequences they may suffer (including malaise with symptoms of depression and anxiety) and their coping strategies. A comparison was made between men and women who have witnessed mobbing. A questionnaire was administered in public administrations, private companies and third sector organizations. The questionnaire was distributed to 262 workers in Eliat (Israel), of whom 78.6% responded to all questions. Findings showed that: women are more likely than men to report witnessing intrusive behavior that undermines a person’s reputation; the depressive symptoms were more severe in women than in men; women tended more than men to use coping strategies such as confide in friends, colleagues, and relatives and to seek support when they were affected by the phenomenon. This study shows how witnessing mobbing can have psychological consequences that affect the quality of personal and organizational life. As far as individuals are concerned, this can happen in different ways and to different extents in women and men.