Bullying rates ‘very concerning’ says Business SA after new Adelaide study

Half of all South Australians have experienced bullying in their lifetimes at school or at work according to findings the business lobby says are “very concerning”.

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Almost one in two South Australians has been bullied in their lifetime and one in six is being bullied in adulthood, putting them at higher risk of long-lasting “severe” health problems, new research shows.

The population-based study, involving researchers from the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Adelaide University, found 46 per cent of the more than 2800 South Australians surveyed had been bullied at school or work.

While 37 per cent of respondents said they were bullied as teenagers, 35 per cent reported being bullied as adults, with women more likely to be victims of bullying than men.

The high prevalence of workplace bullying in the study was more than two times greater than the 17 per cent recorded in similar systematic reviews.

The findings have surprised researchers and been labelled “very concerning” by peak industry body Business SA.

Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride

The research, published this month, also found rates of smoking, disability, antidepressant use and obesity were all higher — sometimes four times higher — in adults who reported being bullied for more than two years compared to than those who did not.

The study recommends strategies to prevent bullying in the classroom and workplace were important, as was identifying survivors “to provide adequate support and reduce more severe mental and physical health consequences in the future”.

SAHMRI senior research fellow Dr Mike Musker said the results suggested repetitive negative and aggressive behaviour in the workplace could be having long-term health effects on a much larger group of people than previously thought

“I have been working professionally with bullying for many years but even I underestimated how big the problem is outside the schoolyard,” Dr Musker said

“What’s clear from the study is that sustained bullying has long term health consequences and that organisations must invest in educating staff on what bullying is and the protocols are to deal with it.”

Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride said SA businesses were acutely aware of their staff health and wellbeing responsibilities and the associated costs and penalties.

But he said employers found it extremely difficult to address peer bullying that was overtly subtle and hidden. “It’s hard to find and it’s hard to prove,” he said.

“Employers must keep on top of this — it is critical. They must call out unacceptable behaviour and hold people accountable for breaking health and wellbeing policies and build a strong and transparent culture.”

The study is the largest randomised research on South Australians and bullying and was published this month in the largest open access public health journal in the world — BMC Public Health.

If you or someone you know needs help call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

The study is called “Bullying and sexual abuse and their associated harmful behaviours, antidepressant use and health-related quality of life in adulthood: a population based study in South Australia”.

Examples of workplace bullying:

— Abusive, insulting comments or offensive language (including face-to-face, or by phone, email, text message or social media).

— Humiliating or putting someone down in front of others.

— Spreading malicious rumours or misinformation about someone.

Indirect bullying includes:

— Deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities.

— Excessive scrutiny at work, unjustified criticism or complaints.

— Withholding information that is vital for effective work performance