AGGRESSION AMONG UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

Harassment among university employees (n = 338; 162 males, 176 females ) was investigated by help of the Work Harassment Scale (WHS), develop ed for the study. Nineteen cases of severe victimization by harassment were interviewed. Subjectively experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety were estimated with two subscales from SCL-90 [Derogatis LR, Lipman RS, Covi L (1973): Psychopharmacology Bulletin 9:13-28] and agg ressiveness was measured with the Buss-Durkee Inventory [Buss A, Durke e A(1957): Journal of Consulting Psychology 21:343-349]. Females exper ienced themselves as significantly more harassed than men. Position wa s related to harassment: individuals in superior positions harassed mo re often than individuals in subordinate positions. Less victimization by harassment was experienced among individuals involved in research and teaching than among individuals involved in administration and ser vice. The experienced reasons for harassment were predominantly envy a nd competition about jobs and status. In 25% of cases, victims felt th at their sex might be a reason. Victims of harassment experienced high er levels of depression, anxiety, and aggression than others. The inte rviewed cases showed evidence of symptoms reminiscent of the post-trau matic stress disorder (PTSD). (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.