Impact of Workplace Mobbing Mental Health in the Context of Sexual Orientation and Identity

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine mobbing, minority stress and emerging psychological effects in working life experienced as a result of sexual orientation and sexual identity. Mobbing in working life is defined as psychological harassment targeting a person or a group to exert pressure, intimidate or force to quit for various reasons. Sexual orientation and sexual identity are reasons for discrimination and mobbing in working life which derives its force from the system that is based on heterosexism. Herek defines heterosexism as an ideological system leading to the denial and stigmatization of behaviour, identities or groups that remain out of what is defined as “heterosexual”. The discordant psychological state inflicted upon the life of individuals by heterosexism is explained as “minority stress” by Meyer. With this concept, Meyer argues that minority stress as well has its important place in the issue besides psychological problems such as depression and anxiety disorders caused by mobbing based on sexual orientation and sexual identity at the workplace. Studies reveal the relationship between minority stress and internalized heterosexism which is directly associated with the former on the one side and psychological stress caused by mobbing on the other

Keywords

• Heterosexism,sexual orientation,sexual identity related minority stress,discrimination,mobbing,mental health

İŞYERİNDE CİNSEL YÖNELİM VE CİNSİYET KİMLİĞİ BAĞLAMINDA MOBBİNGİN RUH SAĞLIĞINA ETKİSİ

Abstract

Bu makalenin amacı, çalışma hayatında cinsel yönelim ve cinsiyet kimliği nedeniyle maruz kalınan mobbingi, azınlık stresini ve ortaya çıkan psikolojik etkileri gözden geçirmektir. Mobbing, çalışma hayatında birçok farklı sebepten dolayı, baskı kurmak, yıldırmak ya da işten ayrılmaya neden olmak için bir kişinin ya da grubun üzerinde uygulanan psikolojik taciz olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Çalışma hayatında cinsel yönelim ve cinsiyet kimliği, kişilerin ayrımcılığa ve mobbinge maruz kalma sebepleri arasındadır ve gücünü heteroseksizm üzerine kurulan sistemden alır. Herek, heteroseksizmi heteroseksüel olarak tanımlananın dışında kalan davranış, kimlik ya da grupların inkâr edilmesi, damgalanmasına neden olan ideolojik bir sistem olarak tanımlar. Heteroseksizmin kişilerin hayatında yarattığı uyumsuz psikolojik yapı Meyer tarafından “azınlık stresi” kavramı ile açıklanmıştır. Bu kavram ile Meyer, çalışma hayatındaki cinsel yönelim ve cinsiyet kimliğine dayalı mobbingin ortaya çıkardığı depresyon, anksiyete bozuklukları gibi psikolojik sorunların yanı sıra azınlık stresinin de önemli bir yeri olduğunu öne sürmektedir. Araştırmalar, azınlık stresi ve azınlık stresiyle birebir bağlantısı olan içselleştirilmiş heteroseksizmin mobbingin yarattığı psikolojik stres ile olan ilişkisini ortaya koymaktadır.Anahtar sözcükler: Heteroseksizm, cinsel yönelim, cinsiyet kimliği azınlık stresi, ayrımcılık, mobbing, ruh sağlığı.Impact of Workplace Mobbing Mental Health in the Context of Sexual Orientation and IdentityThe objective of this article is to examine mobbing, minority stress and emerging psychological effects in working life experienced as a result of sexual orientation and sexual identity. Mobbing in working life is defined as psychological harassment targeting a person or a group to exert pressure, intimidate or force to quit for various reasons. Sexual orientation and sexual identity are reasons for discrimination and mobbing in working life which derives its force from the system that is based on heterosexism. Herek defines heterosexism as an ideological system leading to the denial and stigmatization of behaviour, identities or groups that remain out of what is defined as “heterosexual”. The discordant psychological state inflicted upon the life of individuals by heterosexism iexplained as “minority stress” by Meyer. With this concept, Meyer argues that minority stress as well has its important place in the issue besides psychological problems such as depression and anxiety disorders caused by mobbing based on sexual orientation and sexual identity at the workplace. Studies reveal the relationship between minority stress and internalized heterosexism which is directly associated with the former on the one side and psychological stress caused by mobbing on the other.Key words: Heterosexism, sexual orientation, sexual identity related minority stress, discrimination, mobbing, mental health.

Keywords

• Heteroseksizm,cinselyönelim,cinsiyet kimliği azınlık stresi,ayrımcılık,mobbing,ruh sağlığı

References

1. Herek GM, Berril K. “The Social Context of Hate Crimes: Notes on Cultural Heterosexism. Hate crimes: Confronting violence against lesbians and gay men” Newbury Park, Calif. 1992: Sage Publications; p:89-104.
2. Set Z, Altınok A. “Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Individuals: Attachment, Self-compassion and Internalized Homophobia: A Theoretical Study” Journal of Cognitive- Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research 2016; 5(3): 135- 144.
3. Candansayar S. “Tıbbın (Eş)cinselliğe Bakışı İçin Bir Arkeoloji Denemesi” Cogito. 2011; 149-165.
4. Herek GM. “Heterosexism and homophobia” In RP Cabaj & TS Stein (Eds.) Textbook of homosexuality and mental health (pp. 101-113). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association 1996.
5. Russel ST, Ryan C, Toomey RB ve ark. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescent school victimization: implications for young adult health and adjustment” J Sch Health 2011; 81(5): 223-230.
6. Meyer IH. “ Prejudice, Social Stress, and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: Copceptual Issues and Research Evidence” Psychol Bull 2003; 129(5): 674- 697.
7. Cochran SD, Mays VM. “Lifetime prevalence of suicide symptoms and affective disorders among men reporting same-sex sexual partners: results from NHANES III”; Am J Public Health 2000; 90(4): 573-578.
8. Herek GM, Gillis JR, Cogan JC. “Psychological Sequelae of Hate Crime Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1999.

9. Rosser BRS., Bockting WO, Ross MW. “The Relationship Between Homosexuality, Internalized Homo-Negativity, and Mental Health in Men Who Have Sex with Men” Journal of Homosexuality 2008; 55(1): 150-168.
10. Brad S, Christy M. “Documented Evidence of Employment Discrimination & Its Effects on LGBT People” The Williams Institute 2011.
11. Badgett MVL, Lau H, Sears B. ve ark.“Bias in the Workplace: Consistent Evidence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination” The Williams Institute 2007.
12. Lambdaistanbul LGBTİ Dayanışma Derneği. “Bir Alan Araştırması: Eşcinsel ve Biseksüellerin Sorunları” 2006.
13. Sosyal Politikalar Cinsiyet Kimliği ve Cinsel Yönelim Çalışmaları Derneği (SPoD). “Türkiye’de LGBTİ Bireylerin Sosyal ve Ekonomik Sorunları Araştırması” 2014.
14. Göregenli M, Karakuş P. “Victim Experiences in Hate Crimes Based on Sexual Orientation in Turkey” Presentation; Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP) 2011.
15. Çögenli MZ, Asunakutlu T, Türegün ZN. “Gender and Mobbing: The Case of Turkey” Journal of Business Research Turk 2017; 109 –121.
16. Constantinescu V. “Mobbing: Psychological Terror in the Workplace” International Conference of Scientific Paper 2014.
17. Leymann H. “The Content and Development of Mobbing at Work” European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology 1996; 5(2): 165-184.
18. Mayock P, Bryan A, Carr N. ve ark. “Supporting LGBT Lives: A Study of Mental Health and Well-Being” 2008. http://www.teni.ie/attachments/ac803e95-78c6-4579- b7ee-885d3f40fb36.PDF Erişim Tarihi: 30.12.2017.
19. Gül H. “Mobbing at Workplaces and the Mental Health Effects on Employees” Essential Notes in Psychiatry, Olisah V. (Eds.). Intech 2012. https://www.intechopen.com/ books/essential-notes-in-psychiatry/mobbing-at-workplace- and-the-mental-health-effects-on-employees Erişim Tarihi: 06.01.2018.
20. Okechukwu CA, Souza K, Davis KD. ve ark. “Discrimination, Harassment, Abuse and Bullying in the Workplace: Contribution of Workplace Injustice to Occupational Health Disparities” Am J Ind Med. 2014; 57(5): 573-586.
21. World Health Organization. “Raising Awareness of Psychological Harassment at Work” 2003.
22. Waldo CR. “Working in a Majority Context: A Structural Model of Heterosexism as Minority Stress in the Workplace” Journal of Counseling Psychology 1999; 49(2): 218-232.
23. McDermott E. “Surviving in Dangerous Places: Lesbian Identity Performances in the Workplace, Social Class and Psychological Health” Feminism & Psychology 2006; 16(2): 193-211.
24. Meyer IH. “Minority Stress and Mental Health” Journal of Health and Social Behavior 1995; 36(1): 38-56.
25. Velez BL, Moradi B, Brewster ME. “Testing the Tenets of Minority Stress Theory in Workplace Contexts” Journal of Counseling Psychology 2013; 60(4): 532-542.
26. Toplumsal Dayanışma İçin Psikologlar Derneği. “Psikologlar için LGBTİ’lerle Çalışma Kılavuzu” 2017.
27. Drydakis N. “Effect of Sexual Orientation on Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Greece” IZA Discussion Paper No.8045 2014.
28. Ozeren E. “Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace: A Systematic Review of Literature” Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 2014; 109: 1203-1215.l