Workplace Bullying as a Key Psychosocial Exposure Among Iranian Emergency Nurses: Associations With Psychological Distress and Perceived Work Stressors

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ABSTRACT Workplace bullying is an important psychosocial exposure in emergency departments and may adversely affect nurses' psychological distress and occupational stress. This study examined these associations among emergency nurses. In this cross‐sectional correlational study, 228 emergency nurses were recruited using cluster sampling in 2024. Data were collected using the Negative Acts Questionnaire–Revised, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12), and the Stressor Scale for Emergency Nurses. Data were analyzed using independent‐samples t ‐tests, χ 2 tests, multivariate analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression. Nurses exposed to higher levels of workplace bullying reported significantly greater psychological distress than those with lower bullying exposure ( p = 0.007). Significant group differences were also observed in occupational stressors ( p = 0.014). After adjustment for demographic characteristics, workplace bullying remained an independent predictor of occupational stress ( β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and psychological distress ( β = 0.26, p < 0.001). Workplace bullying was independently associated with greater psychological distress and occupational stress among emergency nurses. Organizational anti‐bullying strategies, supportive leadership, and confidential reporting systems may improve nurses' well‐being and promote safer emergency care.