Integrating individual, work group and organizational factors: testing a multidimensional model of bullying in the nursing workplace

Aim The aim of the present study was to test a multidimensional model of bullying in the nursing workplace. Background This paper is part of a larger study of bullying in the Australian nursing workforce. While a number of studies have documented the frequency and consequences of bullying among nurses, there have been few attempts to develop integrated theoretical models that identify individual, work group and organizational factors. Method In the third stage of this sequential mixed methods study, data were collected from a randomized survey of Australian nurses. Structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis on 370 completed surveys was used to test a multidimensional model of bullying. Results Organizational characteristics were confirmed to be critical antecedents of bullying, influencing both the occurrence of bullying and the resultant consequences. Conclusions The findings have important implications for the management and prevention of bullying, suggesting that, if they are to be effective, strategies to address the problem need to focus upon work group and organizational factors. Implications for nursing management The findings draw in question the usefulness of current approaches to managing bullying and will be of use to nurse managers, particularly those tasked with providing safer and more productive workplaces.