Organizational bullying among nursing faculty: A systematic review of consequences, contributing factors, and interventions.

Arezoo Zeydani; Foroozan Atashzadeh-Shoorideh

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2026.107260

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Organizational bullying among nursing faculty: A systematic review of consequences, contributing factors, and interventions.

Arezoo Zeydani·Foroozan Atashzadeh-Shoorideh

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Organizational bullying among nursing faculty is a systemic and pervasive issue with profound psychological, professional, and institutional consequences. Despite increasing awareness, the literature remains fragmented, and a comprehensive synthesis is lacking. METHODS: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and examined empirical studies on organizational bullying among nursing faculty, with no date restrictions applied. A structured search across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase) identified studies that met inclusion criteria related to the consequences, contributing factors, and interventions. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess study quality. RESULTS: Fifteen studies meeting the quality threshold were included. Organizational bullying was consistently associated with psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal ideation), professional disengagement, and intent to leave. Contributing factors were categorized into structural and organizational (e.g., hierarchical power imbalances, toxic workplace culture), managerial and HR-related (e.g., lack of leadership support, poor reporting mechanisms), and individual/social (e.g., gender or ethnic discrimination, early-career vulnerability). Intervention strategies identified included policy reforms, leadership training, supportive reporting systems, and psychological support services, though evidence on their effectiveness remains limited. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational bullying in nursing academia is a serious and multifaceted challenge with detrimental effects on individuals and institutions. Addressing it requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that includes structural reforms, leadership development, and psychosocial support systems. Academic institutions must prioritize the creation of safe, inclusive, and respectful environments to retain faculty and sustain the quality of nursing education.

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Faculty, Nursing Bullying Humans Organizational Culture Burnout, Professional Workplace Leadership Academic incivility Anti-bullying interventions Faculty well-being Higher education Nursing faculty Organizational bullying Systematic review Workplace mobbing Systematic Review Journal Article Review

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Arezoo Zeydani, Foroozan Atashzadeh-Shoorideh. 2026-07-01. Organizational bullying among nursing faculty: A systematic review of consequences, contributing factors, and interventions.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2026.107260

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Academic incivility subject Anti-bullying interventions subject Bullying subject Burnout, Professional subject Faculty well-being subject Faculty, Nursing subject Higher education subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Leadership subject Nursing faculty subject Organizational Culture subject Organizational bullying subject Systematic Review; Journal Article; Review resource Systematic reviews study

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