Discrimination, violence and threats at work and its association with common mental disorders

Background

In the spring of 2025, SBU was commissioned by the government to evaluate the association between work environmental factors and the onset of mental illness, including potential gender differences. Paid employment is not only a source of income but also contributes to social belonging, participation, and mental well-being. At the same time, factors within the psychosocial work environment may increase the risk of mental illness and sickness absence.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that approximately 15% of the working population experiences mental illness at any given time. In Sweden, sickness absence due to psychiatric diagnoses has increased markedly in recent decades. The number of ongoing cases rose from approximately 30,000 in 2010 to nearly 100,000 in 2024 according to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Further, stress-related diagnoses increased from about 34,700 cases in 2019 to 43,500 in 2024, an increase of roughly 25%. Women account for nearly four out of five stress-related sickness absence cases, with the highest rates observed among women aged 30–39 years.

According to the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s 2024 report, 7–8% of employed individuals aged 16–64 reported exposure to workplace bullying in the past year. Between 12% and 23% reported some form of discrimination. Four percent reported sexual harassment, rising to 13% among young women. Furthermore, 14% reported exposure to threats or violence at work during the previous 12 months. Research indicates that workplace bullying is associated with concurrent and subsequent symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideation [12–13]. Sexual harassment, as well as threats and violence at work, have also been linked to increased risk of depressive symptoms and burnout [14–16]. Taken together, these findings underscore the need to systematically map the evidence on the relationship between workplace bullying, threats and violence, and common mental disorders.

Aim

In this project we aim to conduct an umbrella review of systematic reviews examining the association between exposure to workplace bullying, threats, and violence, and common mental health disorders. In addition, the review will consider the duration of exposure and potential gender differences in these associations.

Project group

Experts

• Linda Magnusson Hanson, associate professor, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University
• Andreas Stenling, associate professor, Department of Psychology, Umeå University

From SBU

• Magdalena Ramstedt Stadin, project director
• Elin Frögéli, assistant project director
• Maria Ahlberg, project administrator
• Carl Gornitzki, information specialist
• Jenny Odeberg, head of unit