Psychological Fallout of Workplace Bullying and Sexual Harassment: A Study on Impact and Differentiation
Author : Anupama Das
Abstract :
Workplace bullying and sexual harassment are two pervasive forms of workplace mistreatment, both contributing to significant psychological distress among employees. While workplace bullying often manifests through persistent intimidation, exclusion, and verbal abuse, sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, coercion, or gender-based mistreatment. Despite their differences, both negatively impact employees’ mental well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and diminished job satisfaction. This study aims to assess the psychological fallout of workplace bullying and sexual harassment while differentiating their impact on employees. A sample of 200 employees across corporate industries was surveyed using standardized psychological measures. The findings suggest that while both forms of mistreatment lead to psychological distress, sexual harassment is more strongly associated with PTSD symptoms, whereas workplace bullying correlates more with depression and burnout. The study highlights the need for proactive intervention strategies to safeguard mental health and improve workplace environments.
Keywords :
Workplace bullying, sexual harassment, mental health, PTSD, depression, job satisfaction.
