Something to Lose Sleep Over? Predictive Analysis of Black Men's and White Men's Insomnia Issues Due to Workplace Bullying in Higher Education

Abstract

abstract:In late 2017/early 2018, data was collected from 734 higher education professionals, inclusive of provosts, vice presidents, deans, directors, and tenured faculty. Of that sample, 58% overall reported facing workplace bullying; 45% of all men (98 of 217) in this sample reported being affected by workplace bullying. Further, 71% of Black men (18 of 24) and 51% of white men (75 of 148) reported facing workplace bullying. At closer analysis, the Black men in this sample reported slightly higher organizational positions than white men. Fifty-four percent of the Black men were in executive or tenured faculty positions (Associate/Full Professor, Dean of College, Vice Provost, and Vice President) while only 45% of white men in this sample held similar positions or executive rank. Using the concept of Black manhood developed by , this study applies this practical and theoretical lens to reflect on how Black men may cope with workplace bullying. Specifically, respondents were asked how workplace bullying affected their sleep. When Black men and white men were compared, chi-square analyses showed two statistically significant findings. First, Black men are more likely to experience workplace bullying in higher education at a statistically significant level (p ≤ .05). Also, white men were found to be more likely to experience insomnia due to workplace bullying at a statistically significant level (p ≤ .05).