Influence of some psychosocial factors on mobbing and its consequences among employees working with people with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND

The problem of mobbing has attracted a great deal of attention over the past few years. This concern has increased the study of the phenomena, which has resulted in many scientific publications. Mobbing has been characterized as an emerging risk at work. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of some psychosocial factors at work - role clarity, interpersonal conflicts and social support - on mobbing and its consequences - that is, inclination towards absenteeism and psychosomatic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample included 422 employees working with people with intellectual disabilities. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.

RESULTS

The Hypothesized model showed an adequate fit to data, and all hypothesized relationships were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study provide support for the mediator role of mobbing in the relationship between high role ambiguity, low social support and high interpersonal conflicts and psychosomatic disorders and inclination towards absenteeism.