Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract BackgroundAcademic bullying among junior doctors—characterized by repeated actions that undermine confidence, reputation, and career progression—is associated with adverse consequences for mental health and professional development. ObjectiveThis study aim...
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JMIR Publications
2025-05-01
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| Series: | JMIRx Med |
| Online Access: | https://xmed.jmir.org/2025/1/e68865 |
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| author | Fatima Jalloh Ahmed Tejan Bah Alieu Kanu Mohamed Jan Jalloh Kehinde Agboola Monalisa M J Faulkner Foray Mohamed Foray Onome T Abiri Arthur Sillah Aiah Lebbie Mohamed B Jalloh |
| author_facet | Fatima Jalloh Ahmed Tejan Bah Alieu Kanu Mohamed Jan Jalloh Kehinde Agboola Monalisa M J Faulkner Foray Mohamed Foray Onome T Abiri Arthur Sillah Aiah Lebbie Mohamed B Jalloh |
| author_sort | Fatima Jalloh |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundAcademic bullying among junior doctors—characterized by repeated actions that undermine confidence, reputation, and career progression—is associated with adverse consequences for mental health and professional development.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of academic bullying among junior doctors in Sierra Leone.
MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 126 junior doctors at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex in Freetown between January 1 and March 30, 2024. Participants were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a semistructured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression.
ResultsOf the 126 participants (n=77, 61.1% male; mean age 31.9, SD 5.05 years), 86 (68.3%) participants reported experiencing academic bullying. Among those, 55.8% (n=48) of participants experienced it occasionally and 36% (n=31) of participants experienced it very frequently. The most common forms were unfair criticism (n=63, 73.3%), verbal aggression (n=57, 66.3%), and derogatory remarks (n=41, 47.7%). Consultants and senior doctors were the main perpetrators, with incidents primarily occurring during ward rounds, clinical meetings, and academic seminars. No statistically significant predictors of bullying were found for gender (odds ratio 2.07, 95% CI 0.92‐4.64; PP
ConclusionsAcademic bullying is widespread among junior doctors at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex. It has serious consequences for their mental health and professional development. There is an urgent need for clear and culturally appropriate policies, targeted training programs, confidential reporting systems, and leadership development. Promoting ethical leadership and fostering a culture of respect can help reduce incivility and burnout, leading to a healthier work environment for junior doctors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d8a957345ec646aa84fb9e7bf07d5b0e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2563-6316 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIRx Med |
| spelling | doaj-art-d8a957345ec646aa84fb9e7bf07d5b0e2025-08-20T02:16:50ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIRx Med2563-63162025-05-016e68865e6886510.2196/68865Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional StudyFatima Jallohhttp://orcid.org/0009-0007-1915-8915Ahmed Tejan Bahhttp://orcid.org/0009-0002-0815-0364Alieu Kanuhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-4140-4875Mohamed Jan Jallohhttp://orcid.org/0009-0005-0463-1189Kehinde Agboolahttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8736-9123Monalisa M J Faulknerhttp://orcid.org/0009-0009-7152-8703Foray Mohamed Forayhttp://orcid.org/0009-0009-0243-691XOnome T Abirihttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6057-7344Arthur Sillahhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1065-6735Aiah Lebbiehttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1709-5379Mohamed B Jallohhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3172-2749 Abstract BackgroundAcademic bullying among junior doctors—characterized by repeated actions that undermine confidence, reputation, and career progression—is associated with adverse consequences for mental health and professional development. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of academic bullying among junior doctors in Sierra Leone. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of 126 junior doctors at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex in Freetown between January 1 and March 30, 2024. Participants were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a semistructured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. ResultsOf the 126 participants (n=77, 61.1% male; mean age 31.9, SD 5.05 years), 86 (68.3%) participants reported experiencing academic bullying. Among those, 55.8% (n=48) of participants experienced it occasionally and 36% (n=31) of participants experienced it very frequently. The most common forms were unfair criticism (n=63, 73.3%), verbal aggression (n=57, 66.3%), and derogatory remarks (n=41, 47.7%). Consultants and senior doctors were the main perpetrators, with incidents primarily occurring during ward rounds, clinical meetings, and academic seminars. No statistically significant predictors of bullying were found for gender (odds ratio 2.07, 95% CI 0.92‐4.64; PP ConclusionsAcademic bullying is widespread among junior doctors at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex. It has serious consequences for their mental health and professional development. There is an urgent need for clear and culturally appropriate policies, targeted training programs, confidential reporting systems, and leadership development. Promoting ethical leadership and fostering a culture of respect can help reduce incivility and burnout, leading to a healthier work environment for junior doctors.https://xmed.jmir.org/2025/1/e68865 |
| spellingShingle | Fatima Jalloh Ahmed Tejan Bah Alieu Kanu Mohamed Jan Jalloh Kehinde Agboola Monalisa M J Faulkner Foray Mohamed Foray Onome T Abiri Arthur Sillah Aiah Lebbie Mohamed B Jalloh Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study JMIRx Med |
| title | Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full | Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_short | Prevalence and Determinants of Academic Bullying Among Junior Doctors in Sierra Leone: Cross-Sectional Study |
| title_sort | prevalence and determinants of academic bullying among junior doctors in sierra leone cross sectional study |
| url | https://xmed.jmir.org/2025/1/e68865 |
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