Experiences, Beliefs and Perceptions of Emergency Department Nurses in Mental Resilience and Positive Emotions as Protective Factors Against Mobbing. A Qualitative Study (Published)
Mobbing is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon frequently observed in Emergency Department (ED) settings, with profound implications for the mental health and professional performance of nurses. On a daily basis, nurses are confronted with highly demanding and often unpredictable situations, which expose them to ethical dilemmas, interpersonal tensions, and various forms of harassment. The present study seeks to explore the perspectives, experiences, and perceptions of healthcare professionals on mobbing, with particular attention to the role of psychological resilience and positive emotions as protective factors. Specifically, the research focused on: (a) the level of knowledge and awareness regarding mobbing, (b) the different forms of mobbing and their relation to psychological resilience, (c) the experience of positive emotions and coping strategies in the face of mobbing, and (d) preventive measures and proposed management strategies. This qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of 40 nurses employed across four Greek public hospitals. Data were gathered through 40 semi-structured interviews, structured around four central thematic axes comprising a total of 12 guiding questions. The findings suggest that mobbing is a tangible and ongoing problem within public healthcare institutions. Participants described workplace mobbing as a form of psychological abuse, most commonly manifested through verbal and behavioral expressions. It was further highlighted that such behaviors may stem not only from colleagues and supervisors but also from patients’ relatives or caregivers. To prevent such incidents within healthcare environments, hospital administrations should embrace a more human-centered approach. Department heads need to be sufficiently trained and sensitized to identify and address instances of workplace harassment effectively. In addition, the introduction of educational and awareness-raising seminars, peer-support groups, and structured support programs for the recovery and reintegration of mobbing victims is strongly recommended.
Keywords: Nurses, Qualitative research, emergency department, mobbing, positive emotions, psychological resilience, workplace violence
Mobbing in a Greek Public Hospital and the Views Experiences and Beliefs among Health Professionals: A Qualitative Study (Published)
In the last 18 years, a significant increase of incidents of mobbing in occupational health professionals mainly in nursing, medical, and administrative staff. The phenomenon of mobbing and its effects on mental, physical health in health professionals, and consequently on the quality of life, in a workplace is a significant limitation in the psycho-spiritual balance of employees as well as for the proper functioning of the organization. The purpose of the study is to investigate the views, experiences and beliefs of health professionals about the phenomenon of Mobbing. In particular, it was researched on: (a) the understanding of the definition, (b) the adequate information (updating), and (c) the sensitization of health professionals. A qualitative study was carried out using the phenomenological approach. The sample consisted of 12 health professionals (nurses, physicians, and administrative staff) who work in a Greek public hospital. 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The semi-structured interview was consisted of 3 main axes with 9 questions in total. The problem of mobbing is a reality and exist in public hospital. Hospital professionals recognize that workplace mobbing is a form of psychological abuse and its forms of expressions are mainly verbal and behavioural. They point out that it can be manifested both by colleagues and superiors, but also by the patients’ relatives/helpers.To avoid such incidents in the health department, the Hospitals Administration, should have an anthropocentric character. The Heads of department, should to be educated and made aware, to know how to address any job harassment, as well as to organize information and awareness seminars for employees and self-help groups, through specific programs support, rehabilitation and reintegration for people who have suffered mobbing.
Keywords: Hospital, analysis the term, health professionals, mobbing, sensitization, updating