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. 2025 Mar 26;20(2):234-241.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2025.03.002. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Bullying experience among Nigerian physiotherapists: Prevalence and impact on workplace performance

Chidozie E Mbada  1 , Adenike O Efunniyi  2 , John O Omole  3 , Oluwafemi D Adegbemigun  4 , Adekola B Ademoyegun  5 , Francis Fasuyi  6 , Babatunde A Adekanla  7
Affiliations

Bullying experience among Nigerian physiotherapists: Prevalence and impact on workplace performance

Chidozie E Mbada et al. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. .

Abstract
in English, Arabic

Objectives: Bullying in physiotherapy education and practice is a significant issue that has received limited attention in the literature. This study assessed the prevalence and impact of bullying experiences on work performance among Nigerian physiotherapists, while also identifying the sociodemographic factors associated with these bullying experiences.

Methods: Ninety-seven physiotherapists from six purposively selected federal hospitals in South-West Nigeria participated in this study. An educational pamphlet was initially provided to consenting respondents to clarify the concept of bullying as a psychosocial construct. Subsequently, bullying experiences and their impact on work performance were assessed using validated self-administered questionnaires. Data on sociodemographic and work characteristics of the respondents were also collected.

Results: The study found a 40.2 % prevalence of bullying experiences. Of those affected, 51.3 % experienced vertical bullying, 12.8 % lateral bullying, and 35.9 % both forms. Vertical bullying was primarily perpetrated by chief medical directors (15.8 %), consultants (15.8 %), and medical officers (31.6 %). Bullying experiences were associated with negative work performance (40.2 %) and poor teamwork with other health professionals (61.6 %). There was a significant association between the level of bullying experience and work performance (χ2 = 84.718, p = 0.001).

Conclusions: Nigerian physiotherapists experience a high prevalence of lateral and vertical bullying, which negatively impacts their work performance and relationships with other healthcare providers. Addressing this issue is crucial for a healthier work environment and better professional interactions.

أهداف البحث: يُعدّ التنمر في مجال تعليم وممارسة العلاج الطبيعي قضية مهمة لم تحظ باهتمام كاف في الأدبيات. هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تقييم مدى انتشار حالات التنمر وتأثيرها على الأداء الوظيفي لدى مختصي العلاج الطبيعي النيجيريين، مع تحديد العوامل الاجتماعية والديموغرافية المرتبطة بحالات التنمر.

طرق البحث: شارك في هذه الدراسة سبعة وتسعون أخصائي علاج طبيعي من ستة مستشفيات اتحادية مختارة بشكل مقصود في جنوب غرب نيجيريا. وُزّع كُتيّب تعليمي في البداية على المشاركين الموافقين لتوضيح مفهوم التنمر كمفهوم نفسي واجتماعي. بعد ذلك، قُيّمت تجارب التنمر وتأثيرها على الأداء الوظيفي باستخدام استبيانات ذاتية مُعتمدة. كما جُمعت بيانات حول الخصائص الاجتماعية والديموغرافية وخصائص العمل للمشاركين.

النتائج: وجدت الدراسة أن معدل انتشار حالات التنمر بلغ 40.2%. من بين المتأثرين، تعرّض 51.3% للتنمر العمودي، و12.8% للتنمر الجانبي، و35.9% لكلا النوعين. كان التنمر العمودي ممارسًا بشكل رئيسي من قِبل المدراء الطبيين (15.8%)، والاستشاريين (15.8%)، والمسؤولين الطبيين (31.6%). وارتبطت تجارب التنمر بأداء عمل سلبي (40.2%) وضعف العمل الجماعي مع غيرهم من المتخصصين الصحيين (61.6%). وكان هناك ارتباط كبير بين مستوى تجربة التنمر والأداء الوظيفي (χ² = 84.718، p = 0.001).

الاستنتاجات: يعاني أخصائيو العلاج الطبيعي النيجيريون من انتشار كبير للتنمر الجانبي والعمودي، مما يؤثر سلبًا على أدائهم في العمل وعلاقاتهم مع مقدمي الرعاية الصحية الآخرين. إن معالجة هذه المشكلة أمر بالغ الأهمية لتوفير بيئة عمل صحية وتفاعلات مهنية أفضل.

Keywords: Bullying experience; Nigeria; Physiotherapy; Work performance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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