Peer mentorship: a powerful buffer against those with legitimate right and power to bully subordinates

ABSTRACT

We used collective analytical autoethnography (CAAE) to investigate experiences of academic bullying and mobbing in our study. Specifically, four autoethnographers shared and analyzed personal experiences of being mobbed and bullied, described their perceptions of workplace bullying, its manifestations, and explored the emotional, social, psychological and career consequences associated with being bullied and mobbed at work. In addition, the autoethnographers reflected on different resources used to cope with mobbing and bullying experiences and revealed – peer mentorship and social support – as instrumental in helping them cope with both the physical and emotional distresses associated with the bullying and mobbing experiences. Implications from the findings and suggestions for future research are also presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Workplace bullying
• academic mobbing
• survival strategies
• peer mentoring
• social support
• power dynamics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Mpho M. Pheko

Mpho M. Pheko has a PhD in organizational psychology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa; a master’s of arts in industrial-organizational psychology from Alliant International University, USA; and a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Barry University, USA. She has worked as a management consultant, organizational development consultant, human resource professional, corporate trainer, and an events and conference director. Among others, her research interests include youth development, mental health in the workplace, political psychology, and diverse topics in the area of leadership development.

Shyngle K. Balogun

Shyngle K. Balogun is currently working as a Professor faculty of Social Sciences in Department of Psychology at University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He got his Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology Degree at the University of Ibadan (With bias in Applied Social Psychology) May 1991 and also a fellow member of Nigerian Psychological Association, Member of Environment and Behavior Association of Nigeria. He also serves as an Editorial Board Member of Journal of Nigerian Inquiry in the Humanities and Editor in Chief of Journal of Studies in Tribes and Tribal’s.

Nicole M. Monteiro

Dr. Nicole M. Monteiro is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Chestnut Hill College in the U.S. Her professional interests are in Global mental health, the treatment of psychological trauma, and workplace wellness. She is the founder of the Center for Healing and Development, PLLC - a psychological services clinic.