CIWBR Definition:

• Variety of negative behaviors and tactics, including:
  • Rumors, lies, ostracism, gossip.
  • Humiliating or embarrassing someone, whether in isolation or in front of peers.
  • Withholding positive recognition and taking credit for their work.
  • Insulting remarks and diminishing comments.
  • Yelling and threatening (subtle or aggressive).
  • Micro-managing and microaggressions.
  • Gaslighting, among others.

Involves one person or a group, which can be a leader or staff, peer-to-peer (lateral violence), or subordinate to a leader. It can also encompass multiple people engaging in negative behaviors and tactics, referred to as mobbing.

2) Harmful behaviors occur over three months or more. 

Before three months, early warning signs such as rudeness, meanness, abrasiveness, and incivility may often manifest. These behaviors are to be addressed by leadership immediately to prevent progression into bullying (psychological harassment or psychological violence).

3) These harmful actions will occur with or without conscious intent.

Proving intent is often challenging, as individuals engaging in unhealthy behaviors may lack self-insight, deny accountability, and manipulate those untrained or unaware of the nuances of this abuse.

4) Intended to cause harm, resulting in various consequences, including:

• Loss of psychological safety.
• Damaged trust.
• Diminished self-confidence or self-esteem.
• Increased isolation and silence.
• Anxiety and panic attacks.
• More sick days due to illness.
• Decreased joy, motivation, and respect for the organization.
• Work-related stress, depression, and physical illness due to stress.
• Suicidal ideation.
• Job termination or resignation.
• Premature death due to cardiac arrest, stroke, or suicide.
• Financial losses, loss of health benefits, investments, and ostracism from the profession.

These losses can lead to physical and psychological injuries, potentially becoming permanent if left untreated. Professionals who are trauma-informed, well-trained, and experienced can help uncover the complexities and nuances of such situations.

Research Definition of Workplace Bullying   

Workplace bullying signifies emotional abuse, encompassing subtle and/or obvious negative psychosocial behaviours embodying aggression, hostility, and intimidation, generally characterized by persistence, exhibited by workplace insiders and/or outsiders operating individually and/or as a group, to an individual employee or a group of employees during the course of the latter’s work. Being interpersonal and/or organizational in level, the display of negative behaviours, which most often bears the mark of influences from within and/or outside the workplace, occurs privately and/or publicly, in real and/or cyber forms, in the context of an existing or evolving unequal power relationship between the parties.

P. D’Cruz, Noronha, E. (eds.), Concepts, Approaches and Methods, Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment 1, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5334-4_1-1© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019.

Academic Bullying Defined

Academic bullying happens because the academic hierarchy creates a large difference in power between principal investigators who fund and drive the research and the lab members who carry out the research. Bullying can consist of inappropriately changing authorship positions, taking credit for ideas or intellectual property for one’s own benefit, verbally abusing others in a regular and progressive way, ridiculing or publicly shaming people, and threatening a bad recommendation or the loss of a job position. Most but not all cases follow the direction of the power, with principal investigators and others who hold more power bullying those with little to no power.” Morteza Mahmoudi

https://www.science.org/content/article/academic-bullying-desperate-data-and-solutions

CCOHS Website

“Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could ‘mentally’ hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade, or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression.”

Mobbing

“Mobbing at the workplace refers to such cases as verbal harassment, aggressive words, sarcasm, slander or social isolation repeatedly targeted at a specific person at a specific period of time. Previous studies indicate that wellness and health of the victims who have been subjected to mobbing at workplace were affected adversely.

Mobbing at Workplace -Psychological Trauma and Documentation of Psychiatric Symptoms Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2019 Mar;56(1):57-62. doi: 10.29399/npa.22924. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Gaslighting

Otherwise seen as a campaign of psychological violence. Giving false information or direction and then denying it. Making derogatory, intimating, comments, and threats, and denying it. Their actions do not match their words i.e.: charming one moment, rageful or bitter the next. Unpredictable. Keeping target confused. Attempts to have others align with them. Make others believe the target is the problem i.e., mentally unstable, or incompetent. Everyone else is to blame, everyone else is a liar. Wearing people down – over time – with some or all the above tactics.

Lateral Violence 

Also known as ‘horizontal violence’ or ‘workplace bullying,’ is disruptive and inappropriate behavior demonstrated in the workplace by one employee to another who is in either an equal or lesser position. (Coursey, Rodriguez, Dieckmann, & Austin, 2013).

Microaggressions :

Unintentional and subtle but offensive comments or actions directed at a minority group.

Examples of Microaggression:

• Saying, “You are pretty for a dark-skinned girl”
• A situation where someone tells a person who is LGBTQ that they do not “seem gay”.
• “Woman enters the room, and the patient assumes that she is a nurse instead of a doctor.”

Microaggressions refer to everyday verbal or non-verbal snubs or derogatory actions — whether intentional or unintentional — directed toward individuals of marginalized groups. 

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-microaggressions-4843519

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

1. Consuming worry or fear about various aspects of life.
2. Restlessness or feeling on edge.
3. Muscle tension.
4. Difficulty concentrating.
5. Irritability.
6. Sleep disturbances: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
7. Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.
8. Shortness of breath.
9. Sweating.
10. Nausea or stomach discomfort.

Depression is characterized by:

• Persistent Sadness: Feeling sad, down, or in a low mood most of the time.
• Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Losing interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed.
• Hopelessness: A pervasive sense of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt.
• Changes in Sleep: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia) or oversleeping (hypersomnia).
• Fatigue: A constant feeling of tiredness and low energy.
• Appetite Changes: Significant changes in appetite and weight lead to overeating or loss.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.
• Irritability: Becoming easily irritable or agitated.
• Physical Symptoms: Experiencing unexplained aches and pains.
• Social Withdrawal: Withdrawing from social activities and isolating oneself from friends and family.
• Thoughts of Death or Suicidal Ideation: Frequent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide.

Early or Mild Depression:

• Mild sadness or low mood.
• Gentle loss of interest in activities.
• Occasional feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Minor sleep disturbances or changes in appetite.
• Some difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Social withdrawal, but still engaging in some social activities.

Moderate Depression:

• Persistent sadness or low mood.
• Significant loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.
• Frequent feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Sleep disturbances or changes in appetite.
• Noticeable fatigue and low energy.
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering.
• Social withdrawal from most social activities.

Severe or Chronic Depression:

• Overwhelming and persistent sadness or low mood.
• Complete loss of interest or pleasure in all activities.
• Intense feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
• Severe sleep disturbances or significant changes in appetite and weight.
• Profound fatigue and low energy.
• Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering.
• Social isolation and withdrawal from nearly all social interactions.
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

 Depression is a treatable condition, and timely intervention can significantly improve a person’s quality of life. Treatment options may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination.

Chronic stress is a condition characterized by:

• Persistent Stressors: Exposure to ongoing stressors or adverse life circumstances over time.
• Continual Activation of the Stress Response: The body’s stress response (fight-or-flight) remains engaged for extended periods, leading to elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
• Lack of Resolution: In chronic stress, the stressors or problems contributing to the stress are often ongoing or unresolved.

Symptoms of Chronic Stress:

Physical Health Issues:

• Weakened Immune System: Increased susceptibility to illness and infections.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Elevated blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease.
• Digestive Problems: Gastrointestinal issues like stomachaches, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Chronic Pain: Increased sensitivity to pain and exacerbation of existing pain conditions.
• Sleep Disturbances: Persistent insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms:

• Anxiety: Chronic stress can lead to persistent feelings of anxiety and worry.
• Depression: An increased risk of developing or exacerbating depressive symptoms.
• Mood Swings: Frequent mood fluctuations and irritability.
• Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and decreased cognitive performance.
• Reduced Coping Abilities: A diminished ability to handle stress or life challenges.

Behavioral Changes:

• Increased Substance Use: A higher likelihood of turning to substances like alcohol or drugs for coping.
• Unhealthy Habits: Overeating, undereating, or other unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Social Isolation: Withdrawing from social interactions and support systems.
• Procrastination: Difficulty initiating and completing tasks due to stress-related inertia.

Interpersonal Issues:

• Strained Relationships: Chronic stress can lead to conflicts and strained relationships with family, friends, or coworkers.
• Decreased Empathy: Reduced ability to understand and empathize with others’ emotions.

Psychosomatic Symptoms:

• Physical symptoms with no apparent medical cause, such as headaches, muscle tension, or skin conditions.

Increased Risk of Mental Health Disorders:

• Chronic stress is associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).