Bases of Social Power and Harassment at Work of University Professors

Abstract

Moral harassment in the university can affect professors who are vulnerable to violent interpersonal relationships. The objective of this research was to analyze the influence of the co-workers’ bases of social power on moral harassment (defined by the dimensions of working conditions, prejudice, and humiliation). Based on online data collection, a sample of 223 professors was obtained, 57.8% of whom were women, with an average age of 47.5 years old (SD = 10.1). The results showed that female professors tend to experience more prejudice and working conditions that characterize moral harassment when compared to men. Regression analysis showed that coercive power — one of the bases of social power — predicts working conditions and humiliation. Legitimate power — another base of social power — predicts prejudice and humiliation. The importance of promoting people management processes aimed at improving interpersonal relationships between professors for the prevention of moral harassment is highlighted.

Keywords

• moral harassment
• bases of power
• university professors