Mobbing: From a social phenomenon to psychopathology: Preliminary data

Mobbing is an increasingly frequent phenomenon that characterizes the dynamics of social and working fields. It is generally known as a hostile and vexatious behaviour perpetrated over a long period of time with the intent to isolate and oust. The aim of this study is to investigate the personality characteristics and psychopathological implications of a sample of individuals who are victims of mobbing behaviours at work. 24 adult subjects were assessed using the Minnesota Personality Inventory Second Edition (MMPI-2) in order to correlate the personality characteristics with psychopathological aspects of their own experiences. The evaluation process took place at the Psycho diagnostics and Neuroscience Unit of the "Federico II" University of Naples, between 2009 and 2011. The highest mean scores were observed at the Hypochondria (Hs = 69.58), Hysteria (Hy = 68) and Depression (D = 69.91) scales. The Content Scales values, affecting the field of somatization, show high scores at the Anxiety scale (ANX = 65.12) and the Health Concerns scale (HEA = 65.25). The results of our preliminary study suggest a close correlation between work, environmental conditioning and the onset of psychopathological disorders of the neurotic area. In addition, our sample was further tested in order to find out possible simulations or exaggerations in the final results.