The relationship between workplace harassment and psycho-emotional health in healthcare administration

Abstract

Background

Workplace harassment and negative behaviors exert a substantial impact on employees’ psycho-emotional health and job satisfaction. Although extensive research has been conducted on clinical healthcare staff, administrative personnel, who are integral to healthcare operations, remain insufficiently studied.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and effects of negative workplace behaviors, including bullying and harassment, on the psycho-emotional health and quality of life of administrative staff at the General Hospital of Corinthos, Greece.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2023, involving 97 administrative employees. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, including the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) to assess workplace bullying and the WHOQOL-BREF to evaluate quality of life. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.

Results

The findings indicated that 24.1% of participants experienced severe workplace bullying, while 40% reported moral harassment. Negative workplace behaviors were significantly correlated with diminished quality of life, particularly in physical health (r = −0.299, p = 0.003) and psychological well-being. Female employees and those with lower education levels were more susceptible to bullying. Strong social support emerged as a protective factor.

Conclusions

Workplace bullying is prevalent among healthcare administrative staff and adversely affects their psycho-emotional health. The study highlights the necessity for targeted interventions, such as anti-bullying policies and psychosocial support programs, to promote a healthier work environment.