Correlation between self-reporting of exposure to workplace bullying behaviors and self-reporting of symptoms of anxiety and depression

The research examined the quantitative correlation between self-reported exposure to workplace bullying behaviors and self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in Department of Defense (DoD) employees. The Pearson r correlational analysis revealed a statistically significant positive correlation supporting the alternate hypotheses of the four research questions. Results of the t-test did not reveal any statistically significant differences. However, the analysis supported the literature in that often employees have difficulty framing the behaviors as workplace bullying. These findings indicate the need for leaders to initiate a cultural change by developing workplace bullying polices that provide a definition, examples, and steps to take when an employee is being bullied. Successfully implementing these cultural changes requires a commitment from leaders of zero tolerance for negative workplace behaviors. Leaders should review current formal and informal procedures and practices to eliminate messaging that might be perceived to tolerate workplace bullying. These changes should focus on the credibility of the targets' and observers' descriptions of the behaviors and situations and creating a safe and respectful environment. Language that provides an understanding of workplace bullying should be incorporated in all policies, trainings, and communications not just those specifically directed toward bullying. The training program should provide an understanding of bullying language, why bullies bully, the environmental and personality characteristics that enable workplace bullying, the common attributes and patterns of bullying, and how to confront the bullying situation. Research supports that policies and practices embedded in the culture considerably lower the probability of workplace bullying.