Abstract
Intervene – good working relationships without bullying: Evaluation of a bystander intervention
Mikkelsen, Eva Gemzøe1, Hogh, Annie2,
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
2Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Purpose
To evaluate a dialogue-based intervention designed to increase constructive bystander behaviour in negative social situations at work and to prevent risk situations for bullying.
Methodology
Five post intervention group interviews were conducted at a nursing home, an orphanage and a hospital department. Approx. 12 months later, four follow-up group interviews were conducted at the nursing home and the hospital. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the method of interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Results
Post-intervention interviews indicated increased awareness of the negative consequences of passive or colluding bystander behaviour and of risk situations for bullying. Follow-up interviews at the hospital department showed that despite a lack of follow-up initiatives, the interviewees reported an increased awareness of constructive bystander behaviour. At the nursing home, the intervention’s positive effect seemed to have lasted. This was partly due to follow-up initiatives that facilitated increased cooperation and trust and employee skills in constructive communication and feedback.
Limitations
The study only included three workplaces and there were no control workplaces. As regards to documenting the effect of the interventions, base-line and follow-up quantitative data would have added to the validity of results.
Practical implications
The intervention may be used by workplaces which aim to prevent bullying.
Value
Given the paucity of research-based knowledge on prevention of bullying including bystander interventions, the study yields valuable knowledge to the field of research.
Mikkelsen, Eva Gemzøe1, Hogh, Annie2,
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
2Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Purpose
To evaluate a dialogue-based intervention designed to increase constructive bystander behaviour in negative social situations at work and to prevent risk situations for bullying.
Methodology
Five post intervention group interviews were conducted at a nursing home, an orphanage and a hospital department. Approx. 12 months later, four follow-up group interviews were conducted at the nursing home and the hospital. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the method of interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Results
Post-intervention interviews indicated increased awareness of the negative consequences of passive or colluding bystander behaviour and of risk situations for bullying. Follow-up interviews at the hospital department showed that despite a lack of follow-up initiatives, the interviewees reported an increased awareness of constructive bystander behaviour. At the nursing home, the intervention’s positive effect seemed to have lasted. This was partly due to follow-up initiatives that facilitated increased cooperation and trust and employee skills in constructive communication and feedback.
Limitations
The study only included three workplaces and there were no control workplaces. As regards to documenting the effect of the interventions, base-line and follow-up quantitative data would have added to the validity of results.
Practical implications
The intervention may be used by workplaces which aim to prevent bullying.
Value
Given the paucity of research-based knowledge on prevention of bullying including bystander interventions, the study yields valuable knowledge to the field of research.
| Translated title of the contribution | Godt kollegaskab uden mobning - evaluering af en forebyggende intervention rettet mod vidner til mobning |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Publication date | 2019 |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
| Event | European Congress of Work and Organizational Psychology - Centro Congressi Lingotto, Torino, Italy Duration: 28. May 2019 → 1. Jun 2019 Conference number: 19 http://eawop2019.org/ |
Conference
| Conference | European Congress of Work and Organizational Psychology |
|---|---|
| Number | 19 |
| Location | Centro Congressi Lingotto |
| Country/Territory | Italy |
| City | Torino |
| Period | 28/05/2019 → 01/06/2019 |
| Internet address |