Full Text (PDF)
Review Article

Patterns and Prevalence of Workplace Bullying in Nursing Professionals: A Systematic Review (2013–2024)

Neha Bharti

Author Information

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


International Journal of Practical Nursing 14(2):p 65-71, May-August 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijpn.2347.7083.14226.5

How Cite This Article:

Neha Bharti. Patterns and Prevalence of Workplace Bullying in Nursing Professionals: A Systematic Review (2013–2024). Int J Practical Nurs. 2026; 14(2): 65-71.

Timeline

Received : June 19, 2026         Accepted : August 02, 2026          Published : August 30, 2026

Abstract

Workplace bullying is a pervasive challenge in the nursing profession, significantly affecting mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care outcomes. This systematic review analyzes studies conducted between 2013 and 2024 to assess the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of workplace bullying among nursing professionals. Findings indicate widespread bullying behaviors, including verbal abuse, exclusion, and task undermining, with prevalence rates varying across regions and settings. Contributing factors include hierarchical structures, workload stress, and inadequate support mechanisms, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bullying adversely impacts nurses’ psychological well-being and professional efficacy, underscoring the need for robust support systems. The review emphasizes comprehensive interventions, including education, policies, and reporting frameworks, to cultivate safe and respectful workplace cultures. These insights aim to inform healthcare leaders and policymakers in fostering supportive environments that enhance nurse well-being and healthcare quality.


References

  • 1.   Einarsen, S., Hoel, H., Zapf, D., & Cooper, C. L. (2020). Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace: Theory, Research, and Practice. CRC Press.
  • 2.   Sauer, P. A., & McCoy, T. P. (2021). Workplace bullying among nurses: A descriptive study. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(3), 379–386.
  • 3.   Rodwell, J., Noblet, A., & Demir, D. (2022). Understanding bullying in healthcare: The role of power and work environment. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 130, 104233.
  • 4.   Laschinger, H. K. S., & Fida, R. (2019). Linking nurses’ perceptions of patient care quality to job satisfaction and mental health: The mediating role of workplace bullying. Nursing Research, 68(2), 98–105.
  • 5.   Fernández-Gutiérrez L, Mosteiro-Díaz MP, Borges E, Franco-Correia S. Bullying in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024 Oct 29;21(11):1431.
  • 6.   Goh HS, Hosier S, Zhang H. Prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of workplace bullying among nurses—a summary of reviews. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2022 Jul 6;19(14):8256.
  • 7.   Attia AA, Abo Gad RA, Shokir ME. Workplace bullying and its effect on staff nurses’ work engagement. Tanta Scientific Nursing Journal. 2020 May 1;18(1):83-109.
  • 8.   Al-Ghabeesh, S.H., Qattom, H. Workplace bullying and its preventive measures and productivity among emergency department nurses. BMC Health Serv Res 19, 445 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4268-x.
  • 9.   Bambi S, Foà C, De Felippis C, Lucchini A, Guazzini A, Rasero L. Workplace incivility, lateral violence and bullying among nurses. A review about their prevalence and related factors. Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis. 2018;89(Suppl 6):51.
  • 10.   Hartin P, Birks M, Lindsay D. Bullying and the nursing profession in Australia: An integrative review of the literature. Collegian. 2018 Dec 1;25(6):613-9.
  • 11.   Nwaneri AC, Onoka AC, Onoka CA. Workplace bullying among nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Enugu, southeast Nigeria: Implications for health workers and job performance. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. 2016;7(2):69-78.
  • 12.   Karatza, C., Zyga, S., Tziaferi, S. et al. Workplace bullying and general health status among the nursing staff of Greek public hospitals. Ann Gen Psychiatry 15, 7 (2016). https://doi. org/10.1186/s12991-016-0097-z.
  • 13.   ALBashtawy M, Al-Azzam M, Rawashda A, Batiha AM, Bashaireh I, Sulaiman M. Workplace violence toward emergency department staff in Jordanian hospitals: a cross-sectional study. J Nurs Res. 2015 Mar;23(1):75-81. doi: 10.1097/ jnr.0000000000000075. PMID: 25668738.
  • 14.   Spector PE, Zhou ZE, Che XX. Nurse exposure to physical and nonphysical violence, bullying, and sexual harassment: a quantitative review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2014 Jan;51(1):72-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.01.010. Epub 2013 Feb 19. PMID: 23433725.

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.


About this article


Cite this article

Neha Bharti. Patterns and Prevalence of Workplace Bullying in Nursing Professionals: A Systematic Review (2013–2024). Int J Practical Nurs. 2026; 14(2): 65-71.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
June 19, 2026 August 02, 2026 August 30, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijpn.2347.7083.14226.5

Keywords

Workplace BullyingHorizontal ViolenceNursing ProfessionalsPrevalenceOccupational HealthWork EnvironmentNursesMental Health

Article Level Metrics

Last Updated

Thursday 20 August 2026, 21:24:59 (IST)


1109

Accesses

23
174
00

Citations


NA
NA
NA

Download citation


Article Keywords


Keyword Highlighting

Highlight selected keywords in the article text.


Timeline


Received June 19, 2026
Accepted August 02, 2026
Published August 30, 2026

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Access this article



Share