Mobbing Experiences and Coping Practices of Nurses Working in Internal Medicine Wards: A Qualitative Study

Aim: This study was conducted to examine nurses' perceptions and experiences of mobbing, its causes, personal and professional effects, and coping practices in the internal medicine wards of a university hospital. Method: The study was conducted using a case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 nurses selected using a convenience sampling method. The interview questions were developed based on the literature and included perceptions of mobbing, types of mobbing experienced, its causes, effects, and coping practices. The interviews were conducted face-to-face in the nurses' office; the audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Results: As a result of the analysis, six main themes were identified: perceptions of mobbing, experiences of mobbing, causes of exposure, personal effects, effects on work life, and coping practices. The majority of nurses reported having experienced mobbing during their professional life, which mostly manifested as psychological violence and vertical mobbing. Mobbing caused physical and emotional effects such as anxiety, fatigue, and social isolation, and negatively affected work motivation and quality of care. Coping practices included avoidance, ignoring, seeking social support, and requesting a ward change. Conclusion: The findings clearly indicate that nurses need a safe and supportive working environment. Mobbing negatively affects employee satisfaction, psychological well-being, and quality of care. Therefore, institutions should develop policies to prevent mobbing and strengthen reporting mechanisms.