The use of coaching as a tool to improve coping in victims of workplace bullying

Abstract

This pilot study, based on Quiun’s (2017) theoretical model, aimed to improve the wellbeing of victims of workplace bullying through their coping strategies. Ouiun’s (2017) model highlights the importance of rumination in workplace bullying’s psychological effects as well as the negative role of thinking in its development. The program used the reflective nature of coaching and the benefits of autogenous meditation in stress management training to promote coping skills and to reduce activation levels. The participants were people who reported being targets of workplace bullying. They were assessed in the three factors of rumination (Brooding, Reflection and Negative Thinking) and wellbeing levels at pre- post- and three-month after the end of the study to identify change levels resulting from the program. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and the index for reliable change were employed to determine the statistical significance of the change, while Grounded Theory principles were used to explore qualitatively how coaching worked on promoting change. The quantitative analysis showed a significant change in negative thinking level (z=-1.98 p<.048) between post-intervention and three months after the project. The qualitative analysis indicates how coaching improves coping skills, self-esteem and personal growth, with the alliance with the participants and autogenous meditation suggested as the key elements that facilitated this change.