Not just the playground: Adult bullying in the K-12 workplace

<p>This non-experimental, explanatory, quantitative research study surveyed K-12 educators and other K-12 school employees to gather data about negative school workplace climate using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R). Through the NAQ-R and other demographic survey questions, the researcher studied the prevalence and characteristics of adult-on-adult bullying in the K-12 workplace. Categories of Emotional Intimidation, Workplace Intimidation, and Physical Intimidation were identified and regressions were completed to analyze results against a study by Einarsen, Hoel, and Notelaers (2009). Using R. J. Bies's four categories of interactional justice, the characteristics of adult bullying in the K-12 workplace were identified and analyzed to measure statistically significant relationships. Utilizing Survey Monkey, over 2,460 Michigan K-12 educators and staff were asked to anonymously complete a 46-question online survey with 324 completing the entire survey. Demographic comparisons were made to data available through the Michigan Department of Education. The survey respondents (<em>N</em> = 324) indicated that 27.8% of these school district employees had been bullied by another adult, at a frequency level from infrequently to daily, during the first 7 months of the 2016-2017 school year. Results demonstrate that school administrators and school boards need to recognize and proactively address this issue through policy, procedures, training, prevention, enforcement, and positive resolution to provide a safe, non-threatening environment in which to work and learn.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Leadership and Counseling

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Kleinheksel, Cynthia J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• David Anderson, EdD, Chair
• Perry Francis, EdD
• Richard Geisel, JD, PhD

• Adult Bullying
• K-12 Education
• Safe Schools
• Workplace Bullying
• Workplace Climate
• Educational Leadership
• Elementary and Middle and Secondary Education Administration

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/887

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2266