Bullying Groups - rehabilitation of the targets of workplace bullying
Author(s): Klinik Berus, Schwickerath Josef and Kneip Volker                              Country: Germany
Is the intervention sector specific?	No
Is the intervention usable with different enterprise sizes?	Yes
Is the intervention equally applicable to both genders?	Yes
Is the intervention based on theory?	Yes
Can the intervention approach be adapted/ tailored?	No
Does the intervention promote CSR and how?	Yes, the method promotes employee well-being.
Does the intervention promote social dialogue and how?	No, this method does not promote social dialogue.
Overview (including risk assessment and law – legal requirements etc.): Klinik Berus is a Centre for Psychosomatic and Behavioural Medicine that has offered rehabilitative treatment for the victims of bullying since 1999. Since that time, more than 1200 targets of bullying have been treated. The Bullying Groups method uses group therapy based on behavioural therapy principles. The overall objective of Bullying Groups is to empower the target of bullying and to promote the development of active coping strategies1 to help facilitate recovery, and sustain its maintenance.
Implementation:   The intervention starts by giving the patient information regarding bullying and by initiating an active process of addressing the problem. The person is guided to build his/her own personal motto for his/her career (this is seen as key success factor for the intervention). Rehabilitation phases in the Bullying Groups treatment include: establishing a distance, learning how to understand, reaching decisions, training behavioural steps of coping. Methods and strategies used during the Bullying Group sessions are: dissemination of information, behavioural analysis, role play, and anger management. The group sessions are led by two therapists. Trust is of central importance both within the group and with the therapist. During the group therapy sessions irrational thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs are identified, critically evaluated and subsequently reframed within a more positive self-enhancing perspective. Role play is used during group session to facilitate the development and mastering of new skills. Issues surrounding anger management are one of the central issues discussed.   Patients usually spend 6-8 weeks in treatment; over the course of which they participate in approximately 8 sessions. The group sessions have a maximum size of 12 patients.
Practical applications: The Bullying Group method requires the professional experience of a trained therapist in its implementation. The most important element of the treatment is for patients to actively participate in the group therapy.
Innovative aspects:   The Bullying Groups method is a group therapy technique, underpinned by an empowerment approach, which teaches patients to develop and use active coping strategies to enhanced management of negative emotions resulting from previously traumatic incidents. Active coping strategies are either behavioural or psychological responses designed to change the nature of the stressor itself or how one thinks about it. Generally speaking, active coping strategies are thought to be a better way to deal with stressful events than passive strategies.
Evaluation (including process issues, outcomes and sustainability): The effectiveness of the treatment has been evaluated using a comparative assessment of patients’ psychological complaints and overall mental health both prior to and directly following participating in the Bullying Groups treatment. Additionally, several longer follow-up evaluations have also been conducted, to examine the sustainability of the observed results and patient improvements. Patients were assessed by an admission interview and by the completion of several questionnaires.
Benefits (including cost effectiveness):     The observed benefits of Bullying Groups are: ·         Following the intervention, patients felt a decreased sense of isolation in addressing issues of bullying in the workplace, as compared to the beginning of the therapeutic process. ·         Patients reported feeling less helplessness with fewer depressive symptoms. ·         Patients redefined their values and aims; and felt they received more courage.
References:   Schwickerath, J.(2005). Mobbing am Arbeitsplatz, Grundlagen und stationäre Verhaltenstherapie psychosomatischer Erkrankungen bei Mobbing. Klinik Berus. Praxis Klinische Verhaltensmedizin und Rehabilitation , 69, 132-145. Inter alia Bullying Groups.   Schwickerath J., Carls W., Zielke M., Hackhausen W. Mobbing am Arbeitsplatz, Grundlagen, Beratungs- und Behandlungskonzepte. Pabst Science Publishers.   Schwickerath J., Riedel H., Kneip V.(2006). Le Harcèlement Moral sur le lieu de Travail: Fondements et Thérapie Dognitivo-Comportementale des Maladies Psychosomatiques Liées au Harcèlement Moral Dans le Milieu Hospitalier. Journal de Thérapie Comportementale at Cognitive 16 (3), 108-112.
Comments:   A key success factor for the implementation of the intervention is the motivation and engagement of the patient.