Witnesses of moral harassment in nursing

identifying characteristics of the phenomenon, feelings, and coping strategies

Abstract

Objectives: to identify elements that characterize the occurrence of moral harassment
in reports of nursing professionals who have witnessed this practice; investigate feelings
expressed by these professionals, when witnessing situations of harassment; and verify
the coping strategies adopted before this phenomenon. Method: exploratory study with
a qualitative and quantitative approach carried out at the outpatient clinic of a public
hospital in the municipality of João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. The sample consisted of 25 professionals
who were identified as witnesses of moral harassment in their professional
practice. The empirical material was obtained through a semistructured form and then
analyzed in light of the technique of discourse of the collective subject. Results: relevant
elements were found that characterize the studied phenomenon, such as the description
of the aggressor of the practice of moral harassment, situations, duration and frequency
of acts, and reports of examples and repercussions of harassment on the victims’
health. Feelings of sadness, anger and impotence were experienced by the witnesses. The
main attitudes adopted as coping strategies consisted in giving guidance to the victim
and communicating the facts to superiors. Conclusion: it was verified that the role of
the witness in the identification of elements that characterize moral harassment is fundamental
and allows the investigation of the behavior in the appropriate instances, the
support to the victims, and the prevention of new cases.