https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519900272
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
1–26
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0886260519900272
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Original Research
Exposure to Bullying
Behaviors at Work and
Depressive Tendencies:
The Moderating
Role of Victimization
From Bullying During
Adolescence
Øystein Løvik Hoprekstad,
1
Jørn Hetland,
1
Bente Wold,
1
Hilde Torp,
1
and Ståle Valvatne Einarsen
1
Abstract
The detrimental effects of exposure to bullying behaviors at work on
employees’ mental health have been thoroughly documented. However, few
studies have examined whether employees’ prior experiences with bullying
may affect the strength of this relationship. The present study tested a
model where victimization from bullying in adolescence was expected to
(a) predict higher exposure to bullying behaviors at work and higher levels
of depressive tendencies in adulthood and (b) strengthen the relationship
between exposure to bullying behaviors at work and depressive tendencies
(i.e., make employees more vulnerable). The hypotheses were tested using
prospective data following a cohort of 536 Norwegian respondents over a
time span of 17 years, from adolescence (age of 13) to adulthood (age of
30). Victimization from bullying in junior high school was measured at the
age of 13, 14, and 15, and retrospectively at the age of 18. Exposure to
1
University of Bergen, Norway
Corresponding Author:
Øystein Løvik Hoprekstad, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen,
Christies Gate 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway.
Email: oystein.hoprekstad@uib.no
900272JIV XX X 10.1177/0886260519900272Journal of Interpersonal ViolenceHoprekstad
research-article 2020