Bullying

A recent study conducted at Michigan State University and presented at the APA 2010 Convention in San Diego examined the effects of bullying on life satisfaction and psychological distress. Furthermore, researchers looked at the effects of race, gender and self-esteem as moderators. Results indicated that Caucasians reported more general workplace bullying while African Americans reported significantly more racial bullying at work. Females in both race groups reported significantly more bullying and experiences greater psychological distress and less life satisfaction than men. However, self-esteem significantly moderated all of the previous effects.

For example, individuals with higher self-esteem whom report bullying did not experience psychological distress nor decreased life satisfaction. The researchers discussed how this could be a double edged sword. In the African American community young boys are taught to have a strong self-esteem but sometimes this can be portrayed as intimidating especially to the white community. This often causes a backlash increasing racial bullying in the workplace.



How can we stop this trend?