{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T19:18:16Z","timestamp":1790882296639,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,1]],"date-time":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1767225600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Sage Open Nursing"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Workplace bullying is one of the serious workplace challenges that has recently gained much consideration in organizational research and management due to the rise in its prevalence and tremendous negative impacts on the mental health and general well-being of employees. Nevertheless, it is a subject that has been given less attention in many developing countries, including Ghana. As a result, there is limited information on the magnitude of the effects of workplace bullying on the well-being of workers and their professional performance.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study explored the effects of workplace bullying on employees\u2019 mental health and well-being among hospital staff in Ho Teaching Hospital and Ho Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The study employed a qualitative phenomenological descriptive study design to explore the effect of workplace bullying among healthcare workers, whereby 24 participants were recruited purposively to reach saturation. Interview guides were used to collect data, which was audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data underwent thematic analysis.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Result<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study's findings revealed that participants experienced defamation of character, exclusion, and seasons of payback. These have affected their health as some fell ill repeatedly, while others grew lean and tired, as well as became disturbed emotionally. Participants fall on confronting the bully, setting boundaries, leaning on friends, and reporting the bully as coping mechanisms.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The various effects of workplace bullying among healthcare workers, as highlighted by the study, need urgent proactive measures to combat workplace bullying in healthcare settings. Addressing workplace bullying not only benefits individual well-being but also enhances organizational performance and the quality of patient care.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/23779608251415240","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,21]],"date-time":"2026-01-21T19:19:47Z","timestamp":1769023187000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Effects of Workplace Bullying on Employees\u2019 Mental Health and Well-Being Among Hospital Staff in Ho, Volta Region of Ghana"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8263-4562","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anita Fafa","family":"Dartey","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Beatrice Bella","family":"Johnson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ellen Eyi","family":"Klutsey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Efua Yeboah","family":"Tsibu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Matilda Azumah","family":"Akalimaga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dickson Kwakye","family":"Asafo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rose","family":"Aborge","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joana Ampiah","family":"Ampiah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Avor Kwesi","family":"Wisdom","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Health and Allied Sciences"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijans.2022.100421"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-019-4268-x"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_3_3_4_1","article-title":"Does workplace physical and psychological violence exist against physicians and nurses in Primary Health Care Centers in Kuwait? A cross-sectional study","volume":"19","author":"Al-Ghareeb H.","year":"2021","unstructured":"Al-Ghareeb H., Al-Wotayan R. (2021). Does workplace physical and psychological violence exist against physicians and nurses in Primary Health Care Centers in Kuwait? A cross-sectional study. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 19(5). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5742\/MEWFM.2019.93640","journal-title":"Middle East Journal of Family Medicine"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.785134"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12960-019-0433-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0257620"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_8_1","unstructured":"Antoine N. (2018). Consequences of workplace bullying on employees\u2019 health and organization."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2147\/RMHP.S280954"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jonm.13727"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_11_1","unstructured":"Batchelor T. (2019). The experience of workplace bullying amongst teachers: A qualitative study [MA dissertation] University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/nop2.43"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_13_1","volume-title":"Workplace bullying\u2013why is it tolerated?","author":"Boss S. A.","year":"2020","unstructured":"Boss S. A. (2020). Workplace bullying\u2013why is it tolerated? William James College."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jonm.12908"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1159\/000516838"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2017-018766"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/2277975215587814"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-13-0935-9_5"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4102\/sajhrm.v10i1.450"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.26417\/ejser.v6i1.p62-74"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhin.2022.01.005"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/23779608231186044"},{"issue":"31","key":"e_1_3_3_23_1","first-page":"18","article-title":"The impact of workplace bullying on workers\u2019 psychological and emotional well-being: A study of 139 university staff in Ghana","volume":"5","author":"Doe F.","year":"2016","unstructured":"Doe F. (2016). The impact of workplace bullying on workers\u2019 psychological and emotional well-being: A study of 139 university staff in Ghana. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 5(31), 18\u201323.","journal-title":"International Journal of Innovative Research and Development"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-025-12458-6"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00420-014-0944-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.l2325"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2016.00060"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1748-8583.12004"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-13-0935-9_8"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_30_1","author":"Jang S. J.","year":"2023","unstructured":"Jang S. J., Kim E., Lee H. (2023). Effects of personality traits and mentalization on workplace bullying experiences among intensive care unit nurses.Journal of Nursing Management, 2023(1), 5360734. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2023\/5360734","journal-title":"Journal of Nursing Management"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12912-023-01624-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2020.103628"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/YCO.0000000000000084"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/19932820.2023.2266239"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_3_3_35_1","first-page":"155","article-title":"Relationships among workplace bullying, organizational culture and nursing performance in nurses","volume":"14","author":"Kim S.-R.","year":"2019","unstructured":"Kim S.-R., Hwang J.-I. (2019). Relationships among workplace bullying, organizational culture and nursing performance in nurses. Health Communication, 14(2), 155\u2013164.","journal-title":"Health Communication"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jan.13986"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1609406918786362"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_38_1","volume-title":"Colaizzi\u2019s descriptive phenomenological method","author":"Morrow R.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Morrow R., Rodriguez A., King N. (2015). Colaizzi\u2019s descriptive phenomenological method. University of Huddersfield Repository."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_39_1","volume-title":"Perceptions of bullying in the workplace: A phenomenological study","author":"Murphy S. V.","year":"2013","unstructured":"Murphy S. V. (2013). Perceptions of bullying in the workplace: A phenomenological study. University of Phoenix."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/02678373.2012.734709"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpol.2021.104910"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jonm.13471"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10911359.2017.1300973"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/scs.12633"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1002\/pam.22405"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_46_1","volume-title":"Workplace bullying and work engagement amongst teachers: A job demands-resources perspective","author":"Ross T.","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ross T. (2023). Workplace bullying and work engagement amongst teachers: A job demands-resources perspective. Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.avb.2012.08.004"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_3_3_48_1","first-page":"32","article-title":"Workplace bullying: A tale of adverse consequences","volume":"12","author":"Sansone R. A.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Sansone R. A., Sansone L. A. (2015). Workplace bullying: A tale of adverse consequences. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(1\u20132), 32\u201337.","journal-title":"Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11135-017-0574-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_50_1","article-title":"Workplace bullying: What it is and what to do about it","volume":"10","author":"Sepler F.","year":"2015","unstructured":"Sepler F. (2015). Workplace bullying: What it is and what to do about it. Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy, 10, 42. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.58188\/1941-8043.1499","journal-title":"Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_51_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-17962-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_52_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2021-059860"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_53_1","unstructured":"White H. Saran A. (2022). UNICEF strategic plan 2018-2021 Goal area 3: Every child is protected from violence and exploitation. Evidence and gap map research brief. UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_54_1","first-page":"175","author":"Wiggins M. W.","year":"2020","unstructured":"Wiggins M. W., Stevens C. (2020). Qualitative data analysis. In Wiggins M. W., Stevens C. (Eds.), Aviation social science: Research methods in practice (pp. 175\u2013190). Routledge. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4324\/9781315261829-17","journal-title":"Aviation social science: Research methods in practice"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_55_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anr.2018.01.004"}],"container-title":["Sage Open Nursing"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/23779608251415240","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/23779608251415240","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/23779608251415240","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,25]],"date-time":"2026-01-25T11:29:49Z","timestamp":1769340589000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/23779608251415240"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"references-count":54,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/23779608251415240"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/23779608251415240","relation":{},"ISSN":["2377-9608","2377-9608"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2377-9608","type":"print"},{"value":"2377-9608","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]},"article-number":"23779608251415240"}}