Mobbing at work and the development of post-traumatic stress disorders

Abstract

Psychosocial research on mobbing is currently being carried out in a number of countries, mainly in Europe. Mobbing is defined as an extreme social stressor at workplaces. In this article, its serious mental and psychosomatic health consequences are demonstrated and discussed. A factor analysis of symptom statistics collected through answers from a study representative of the entire Swedish workforce showed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the plausible diagnosis. In addition, 64 patients subjected to mobbing at their work places are diagnosed with the co-operation of a rehabilitation clinic specializing in the treatment of chrome PTSD. The statistical analysis of these 64 diagnoses shows a severe degree of PTSD, with mental effects fully comparable with PTSD from war or prison camp experiences.     

Concave and convex phases in ambiguous figures showing colour shifts. Mach's figure and the AMBEGUJAS phenomenon

Two ambiguous figures (Mach's book-figure and the AMBEGUJAS phenomenon) have been studied. They show colour shifts synchronised with the shifts of their alternative phases. The perceived concave phase appeared to have chromatic surface colour, but the perceived convex phase can appear to be in coloured illumination and shadow (film colour). The two perceived reversible shapes of the Mach figure (the book and the tent) and the three perceived alternative shapes of the Mondrians used in the AMBEGUJAS phenomenon (a roof, a ceiling, and a tile) all can appear to have chromatic surface colours in their concave phases but appear to have coloured illumination and shadow in their convex phases.     

Postnatal mental health and parenting: The importance of parental anger

Parents' postnatal mental health and subjective perceptions of their baby are likely to influence the quality of their relationship with their baby. To date, this has largely been examined in mothers; therefore, this study aimed to also explore this in both parents. Semistructured clinical interviews [The Birmingham Interview for Maternal Mental Health (BIMMH); Brockingon, Chandra et al., 2006] were carried out with 85 first‐time parents. The BMMHI identifies disorders of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and parental anger. Sections of the BMMHI also elicit qualitative accounts of parenthood. These were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Differences in the frequency of themes were examined for parents with or without mental health disorders or parental anger. Themes are reported for (a) baby characteristics, needs, and development; (b) parents' emotions, responses, coping strategies, and general parenthood; and (c) parent and baby relationship. Results indicated that both the presence of parental mental health problems and, more notably, parental anger were associated with more negative accounts of the self, the baby, and parenthood. This study provides insight into first‐time parents' perceptions of early parenthood. Results especially highlight the need to consider parental experiences of anger in more detail for assessment and interventions in the early postpartum period.     

Work environment and health in different types of temporary jobs

The aim of the study was to compare and analyse differences in work conditions and health between workers in permanent and temporary employment. The study group consisted of a representative, stratified sample of the Swedish working population (n = 2767). The data support the main hypothesis of the study, i.e., that temporary employed differ from permanent employed in control over their working life. With some exceptions, there were clear differences between these two categories with respect to a number of variables that can be regarded as central to both the individual's success at work and protection against job loss and exclusion from working life. Health differences were in favour of the permanent employed. There were also considerable differences between different sub-groups of temporary employees of such amplitude and consistency that they formed a distinct centre-periphery structure.     

The short-EMBU in East-Germany and Sweden: a cross-national factorial validity extension

The factorial stability and reliability of the 23-item s(hort)-EMBU previously demonstrated to be satisfactory in samples of students from Greece, Guatemala, Hungary and Italy, were extended with 791 students from East-Germany and Sweden. Previous findings on factorial validity, internal reliability and correlations among scales were replicated. The 23-item form thus continues to be recommended as a reliable functional equivalent to the early 81-item EMBU, when the clinical and/or research context does not adequately permit application of time-consuming test batteries.     

How Can Contextual Variables Influence Creative Thinking? Contributions from the Optimal-Level of Arousal Model

More and more research is showing how different environments can lead to greater or lower creative skills. The purpose of this concept paper is to introduce a novel application of the optimal-level of arousal model that could address inconsistencies present in the literature. After introducing possible definitions of creativity, I discuss the optimal-level of arousal theory and how considering the “arousal” and “mood changing” potentials of contexts could enlighten findings related to inter-individual differences, domain-specificities, developmental aspects, and gender differences. Among other things, this model will clarify the factors influencing motivation to display creative skills which could improve the external validity of creativity studies. Examples of the kinds of hypotheses that can be tested by applying this model in future creative studies will also be proposed.     

Information about three-dimensional shape and direction of illumination in a square-wave grating

A homogeneous grey picture and a 'Mondrian' type of picture were illuminated by a projector with square-wave gratings of thirty different contrast values used as slides. Ten observers reported whether the picture appeared three-dimensional (3-D) (pleated) or flat. 3-D responses in this situation indicate colour constancy 'at the cost of' nonveridical depth perception. The frequencies of 3-D responses were significantly higher for the structured picture than for the homogeneous grey one. In reports of the direction from which the apparent 3-D object appeared to be illuminated there was a significant preference for responses "from above" when the grating was horizontally oriented. With vertical orientation there was no preference for "from the left" or "from the right". The results from the first experiment contradict traditional cue theories of depth perception since the projection of the borders between the fields of the structured picture was invariant and expected to inform about the flatness of the picture. They are, however, in line with a model for perceptual analysis of reflected light into common and relative components proposed earlier by Bergstr?m. The difference in perceived direction of illumination between horizontally and vertically orientated gratings is discussed in connection with human ecology.     

Interpersonally traumatised patients’ view of significant and corrective experiences in the psychotherapeutic relationship

Background: Clinical experience points to the importance of significant experiences in the therapy relationship for patients who have been interpersonally traumatised but the empirical research is limited.

Aim: The aim was to gain increased knowledge about how significant and potentially corrective experiences within the therapeutic relationship were described by patients in trauma-focused therapy and how the participants thought such experiences might have affected the therapeutic work.

Method: Five patients who were, or recently had been, in trauma-focused therapy were interviewed about their experiences of the therapy relationship. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews.

Results: Four themes were identified: ‘Human contact’, ‘Validation’, ‘To face the painful’ and ‘Development of trust’. Positive experiences in the therapeutic relationship were sometimes seen as crucial for the therapeutic work and for patients’ improvement.

Conclusions: Previous findings about the significance of corrective experiences in psychotherapy were confirmed, particularly experiences of the therapist’s accepting stance, personal and human contact and encouragement. The therapist’s ability to evoke trust in the patient and her capacity to help patients to face painful material may be particularly important for traumatised patients.