| Curiosity about nonphysical aggression among adults doing well in workplaces, academia, civic, faith-based organizations, and other kinds, resulted in a study to learn how adults describe their experience of nonphysical aggression from others toward them in U.S. organizations. Participants were women and men at least 30 years old, of varying cultural, economic, professional, and geographic demographics across the United States of America. This qualitative study utilized thematic analysis to analyze participants' narrative accounts and uncovered patterns that resulted in nine findings. Eighty-nine percent (89%) reported being put down, 72% reported being taken down, and 56% called it being overtaken. Twenty-two percent (22%) called it bullying and attacking. Power dynamics in organizational systems were reported as a force that often silenced the aggressed and created pressure for others to directly or indirectly collude with the aggressor and the aggression. Aggressors emerged from any social identity group, as did the aggressed. Confusion and disorientation in the moment about what had just happened or if something had really happened was a key theme. Recovery took time and was highly individualized. Findings illuminated injuries from nonphysical aggression that pulled participants downward in spirit, emotions, status, job security/income, material assets, support, self-image, self-confidence, health/wellbeing, reputation, and peace of mind. Five levels of injury were identified: (a) on-the-spot aggression; (b) material, status, and emotional losses; (c) abandonment by colleagues; (d) injury from lacking support of unresponsive organizations; and (e) spiritual injury. It is significant for scholarship and practice that knowledge of impact from participant experiences now provides the basis to recognize and acknowledge this type of pull-down aggression in adult organizations. |
