Workplace bullying hits harder on men’s mental health

Men may be more susceptible to the mental health fallout of workplace bullying than women, according to a study by researchers at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. Led by Professor Cho Sung-joon, the study analysed data from over 12,000 employees in South Korea and found that while employees of both sexes experienced elevated depression rates due to bullying, the effect was significantly amplified for men.

The study examined the correlation between workplace bullying, defined as intentional harassment or maltreatment, and depression symptoms. Employees scoring 16 or higher on a standardised depression scale were identified as suffering from the condition.

The researchers found that depression rates were higher for employees after bullying. Female employees who experienced bullying were 3.24 times more likely to be depressed, while male employees facing similar situations exhibited depression rates 5.23 times higher than their female counterparts, emphasising the critical need for gender-specific approaches to address these mental health concerns.  

“This study not only reconfirms the relationship between workplace bullying and depression but also suggests measures to manage depression by gender,” Professor Cho said. “It has particular implications for professions and organisations with a strong gender bias, such as soldiers and nurses.”

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Professor Cho added that education and social awareness of workplace bullying were needed for the mental health of employees. Moreover, future research should analyse the specific factors that make victims of workplace bullying more vulnerable to developing depression and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention, reported KoreaBioMed.