Abstract
Objective: This study explored post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety and depression in relation to bullying and harassment in the workplace among qualified mental health nurses. Method: It used a cross sectional, quantitative, survey design. Participants were qualified mental health nurses working for an NHS Mental Health Trust in the South East. The response rate was 15% (n=115). The following measures were used: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Negative Acts Questionnaire, Impact of Events Scale-Revised. Results: Bullying and harassment was common among participants surveyed. A small number of participants experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms as a consequence of bullying and harassment at work. Participants who experienced bullying had significantly higher levels of anxiety than those who did not. Participants who witnessed bullying had significantly higher levels of both anxiety and depression than those who did not. Positive correlations were found between types of negative act and anxiety and depression. Person orientated negative behaviours were a significant predictor of subjectively reported bullying and anxiety was a significant predictor of objective bullying. Discussion: Implications of high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety and depression among the mental health nurses in the NHS are discussed, both in relation to the organisation and the individual. This research highlights that despite the Zero Tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment it still remains an issue. This study contributes to the gap in the literature about bullying and harassment in mental health nursing.