ABSTRACT

We investigate risks of exposure to workplace bullying and related mental health outcomes for men and women when being in a gender minority as opposed to working in a gender-balanced working environment or when belonging to a gender majority. Based on a social identity perspective, we tested hypotheses about the risks of bullying and differences in the increase in mental health problems in a probability sample of the Swedish workforce in a prospective design. The results showed an increased risk of bullying and an increase in mental health problems as an outcome for men when in a gender minority, however, there were no corresponding risks for women. The risks for men were most obvious for person-related negative acts and for anxiety as an outcome. Social identity may clarify why a minority might be more at risk as well as the outcome it may lead to. Deviating from the group prototype may be perceived as a threat to the group alienating the target and opening up for sanctions. The observed gender differences may further be understood using social role theory. Men in female-dominated workplaces may deviate more from the expected traditional gender role and may be more susceptible to sanctions and suffer graver consequences as a result. The outcomes may be more severe if exposed to person-related acts compared to acts related to one’s work.

摘要

我们调查男性和女性在性别少数群体中遭受工作场所欺凌的风险以及相关的心理健康结果，而不是在性别平衡的工作环境中工作或属于性别多数群体。基于社会认同的角度，我们在前瞻性设计中以瑞典劳动力的概率样本检验了有关欺凌风险和心理健康问题增加差异的假设。结果显示，男性在性别少数群体中遭受欺凌的风险会增加，心理健康问题也会增加，但女性则没有相应的风险。对于男性来说，与人相关的负面行为和焦虑所带来的风险最为明显。社会身份可以解释为什么少数群体可能面临更大的风险以及它可能导致的结果。偏离团体原型可能会被视为对团体的威胁，疏远目标并接受制裁。观察到的性别差异可以使用社会角色理论进一步理解。在女性主导的工作场所中，男性可能会更多地偏离预期的传统性别角色，并且可能更容易受到制裁并因此遭受更严重的后果。与与工作相关的行为相比，如果接触与个人相关的行为，结果可能会更严重。在女性主导的工作场所中，男性可能会更多地偏离预期的传统性别角色，并且可能更容易受到制裁并因此遭受更严重的后果。与与工作相关的行为相比，如果接触与个人相关的行为，结果可能会更严重。在女性主导的工作场所中，男性可能会更多地偏离预期的传统性别角色，并且可能更容易受到制裁并因此遭受更严重的后果。与与工作相关的行为相比，如果接触与个人相关的行为，结果可能会更严重。