MMPI-2 personality profiles and suicidal ideation and behavior in victims of bullying at work: a follow-up study.

The main aim of this study was to investigate longitudinally the personality profile and suicidal ideation and behavior in victims of bullying at work in relation to the evolution of the victimization. Forty-eight victims were evaluated by means of medical and psychological assessment including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). A follow up session was carried out after an average of 22 months. At first evaluation, the average MMPI-2 personality profile of victims showed abnormal elevations on scales Hs (Hypochondria), D (Depression), Hy (Hysteria), and Pa (Paranoia), which were strikingly similar to that found in previous studies. Furthermore, suicidal ideation and behavior were common among victims. At follow-up, 26 victims reported that the degree of bullying had remained the same or had even worsened, whereas 22 said that the situation had improved or had been resolved. Although there was a trend toward normalization in the MMPI-2 profile for all victims, the profile of the "static" group was still abnormal at follow up. On the contrary, the profile of the "improved" group was entirely within normal range. Suicidal ideation and behavior decreased in all victims, but only to a significant degree in the improved group. Results are discussed in the light of the bullying process.

[Mental disorders related to persistent negative working conditions]. / Disturbi psichici associabili a condizioni di lavoro negative persistenti.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders are common in our industrialised society and inevitably affect the working population. Over the last few years greater attention has been focussed on work-related psychopathologies due to an increasing number of studies regarding workplace bullying. OBJECTIVES: This study reports our observations on patients with mental disorders who came to our Occupational Health Centre because they perceived themselves to be victims of negative working conditions. An indepth analysis of their working conditions led us to the conclusion that many of these disorders were to be attributed to the workplace. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, 449 workers attended our Occupational Health Centre, most suffering from mental disorders which they ascribed to negative working conditions. All patients had an initial consultation session with an occupational physician which focused on the environmental and relational characteristics of their place of work. Thereafter, patients underwent a second clinical evaluation with a psychologist including several psychological tests. At the end of diagnostic process, the occupational physician and the clinical psychologist drew their clinical conclusions and defined the possible relationship with the working condition. RESULTS: For 379 out of 449 patients/workers, a positive and causal relationship between medical disorders and working conditions was established. The mental disorders observed in these groups of workers were: mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (53.6%), depressive disorder (16.2%), adaptation disorder (15.9%), anxiety disorder (13%) and only 1.3% post-traumatic stress disorder. The working conditions favouring the mental disorders were: workplace bullying, such as person-related bullying (30.1%) and task-related bullying (14.8%), adverse situations causing work distress (38.2%) or non-specific work discomfort (16,9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience showed that not only workplace bullying can cause different psychiatric disorders but also adverse situations that favour work distress and non-specific work discomfort often give raise to the same disorders. Negative working conditions can play a significant role in the development of psychological-psychiatric disorders: such disorders related to occupational conditions are on the increase in many industrialised countries.