Table 2

Studies reporting frequency of suicidal ideation in targets of workplace bullying

Author, year, countrySample size and recruitment methodAge mean (SD)
Female %		Workplace bullying measureSuicide measureFrequency of suicidal ideation in sampleQuality indicators
All samples bullied
Brousse et al (2008), France*3748 (RR NR), targets of workplace bullying referred to health clinic, 12-month follow-up44.9 (NR)
75%		Leymann Inventory of Psychological terror, past 6 months, frequency ‘at least once a week’Ideation—self-report questionnaire (details NR)25% reported suicidal ideation at baseline and at 12-month follow-upAssociation: ×
Adjustment: ×
Representative: ×
Longitudinal: ✓
Pompili et al (2008), Italy38102 (RR NR), targets of workplace bullying referred to hospitalMale: 44.5 (8.2) Female: 47.2 (9.9)
46%		Referral as a target of workplace bullyingMixed ideation and behaviour—SPS. 6-item52% had some risk of suicide.Association: ×
Adjustment: ×
Representative: ×
Longitudinal: ×
Sample bullied and not bullied
Yildirim et al (2007), Turkey34505 nurses (RR 71%)30.6 (6.8)
100%		Mobbing behaviours list, past 12 months, frequency ‘never to constantly’Ideation—ways of escaping from mobbing list ‘I think about committing suicide occasionally’87% reported exposure to mobbing behaviours. 10% reported thinking about suicide to escape.Association: ×
Adjustment: ×
Representative: ✓
Longitudinal: ×
Yildirim et al (2007), Turkey33210 (RR 69%) academic nursing personnel32.66 (9.7)
100%		Mobbing behaviours list, past 12 months, frequency ‘never to constantly’Ideation—ways of escaping from mobbing; ‘I think about committing suicide sometimes’91% reported exposure to mobbing behaviours. 9% reported thinking about suicide to escape.Association: ×
Adjustment: ×
Representative: ✓
Longitudinal: ×

  • *Brousse sample from same pool as Lac (in table 1).

  • NR, not reported; RR, response rate; SPS, Suicidal Potential Scale.