Proposal of an integrated structural-interactionist model of psychological harassment at work: beyond the harasser–victim dynamic

Purpose This paper introduces and proposes an integrated structural-interactionist model of psychological harassment at work to better identify the mechanisms to prevent and counter this relational dysfunction. Design/methodology/approach Based on a narrative review methodology of the literature, the conceptual model incorporates the perspectives of both the psycho-individual and socio-organizational paradigms. The model allows for an extension of understanding within a structuro-interactionist perspective on psychological harassment at work. A synthesis of existing literature is undertaken to identify the multiple dimensions of the dynamics of harassment at work. Findings The integrated structuro-interactionist model is based on five propositions specifying the role of (1) environmental factors, (2) organizational factors, (3) managerial factors, and (4) personal and dispositional factors in the dynamics of workplace harassment. An additional proposition (5) concerns the nature of individual and organizational consequences of psychological workplace harassment. Originality/value Building on the contributions of several previous models of psychological harassment at work, this integrated structural–interactionist model synthesizes earlier paradigms. It aims to enhance the ability to identify organizational levers that can prevent and counter occurrences of workplace harassment.