title: Experiences With and Perceptions of Workplace Bullying Among Athletic Trainers in the Secondary School Setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workplace bullying (WPB) has recently received much attention in society. Research on WPB in athletic training practice settings is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of WPB in the secondary school setting and explore the factors related to it.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed-methods study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary school.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 567 athletic trainers (women = 322 [56.8%], men = 245 [43.2%]), aged 36.5 ± 11.1 years with 11.9 ± 9.5 years of experience took part in phase I. Ten participants (7 women and 3 men), aged 39.3 ± 10.1 years with 14.3 ± 8.3 years of experience, took part in phase II.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the online survey, we used the previously validated and reliable (Cronbach α = .84) Athletic Training Workplace Environment Survey, which included the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised. The prevalence of WPB was measured with descriptive statistics, and χ2analyses were used to compare differences between groups (ie, females and males, perpetrators' titles). The interview data were examined using an inductive content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the participants, 44 (7.8%) were empirically identified as targets of bullying, though a higher percentage (12.4%, n = 70) self-identified as bullying targets. Men and women did not differ with respect to having experienced WPB, but more perpetrators were male (71.6%, n = 48) than female (28.4%, n = 19; χ21= 12.55, P = <.001). We also observed a difference in perpetrators' titles, with the vast majority of bullies being coaches or administrators (χ26= 33.82, P = <.001). Lack of administrator support and discrimination were antecedents of bullying. Stress, depression, and sleep disturbances were reported consequences. Participants coped with bullying by avoidance and role refocusing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bullying was experienced by a small percentage of athletic trainers in the secondary school setting, a contrast to the findings in the collegiate practice setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, College of Education, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Pitney
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois Springfield.
authors.forename: Celest
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weuve
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Athletic Training Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mazerolle
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D058445:Bullying / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005178:Faculty / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: harassment; interpersonal conflict; workplace aggression