The emotional sequelae of whistleblowing: Findings from a qualitative study

Peters, K; Luck, L; Hutchinson, M; Wilkes, L; Andrew, S; Jackson, D

The emotional sequelae of whistleblowing: Findings from a qualitative study

Peters, K Luck, L Hutchinson, M Wilkes, L Andrew, S Jackson, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2011, 20 (19-20), pp. 2907 - 2914
Issue Date:: 2011-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Peters, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Luck, L	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hutchinson, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wilkes, L	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Andrew, S	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Jackson, D https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5252-5325	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2011, 20 (19-20), pp. 2907 - 2914	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0962-1067	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18594
dc.description.abstract	To highlight and illuminate the emotional sequelae of whistleblowing from whistleblowers and subjects of whistleblowing complaints. Background. Whistleblowing has the potential to have a negative impact on individuals' physical and emotional well-being. However, few empirical studies have been conducted using qualitative methods to provide an in-depth exploration of the emotional consequences for those involved in whistleblowing incidents. Design. Qualitative narrative inquiry design. Method. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who had been involved in whistleblowing incidents. During interviews participants' accounts were digitally recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data were then analysed by two researchers until consensus was reached. Results. Findings revealed that participants' emotional health was considerably compromised as a result of the whistleblowing incident. Analysis of the data revealed the following dominant themes: 'I felt sad and depressed': overwhelming and persistent distress; 'I was having panic attacks and hyperventilating': acute anxiety; and, 'I had all this playing on my mind': nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. Conclusions. While it has been previously acknowledged that whistleblowing has the potential to have a negative impact on all aspects of an individual's life, this study notably highlights the intensity of emotional symptoms suffered by participants as well as the extended duration of time these symptoms were apparent. Relevance to clinical practice. As professionals, nurses, as well as organisations, have a responsibility to identify those who may be suffering the emotional trauma of whistleblowing and ensure they have access to appropriate resources. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Clinical Nursing	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03718.x	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Whistleblowing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emotions	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.title	The emotional sequelae of whistleblowing: Findings from a qualitative study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	19-20	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	20	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	19-20	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	20	en_US

Abstract:

To highlight and illuminate the emotional sequelae of whistleblowing from whistleblowers and subjects of whistleblowing complaints. Background. Whistleblowing has the potential to have a negative impact on individuals' physical and emotional well-being. However, few empirical studies have been conducted using qualitative methods to provide an in-depth exploration of the emotional consequences for those involved in whistleblowing incidents. Design. Qualitative narrative inquiry design. Method. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who had been involved in whistleblowing incidents. During interviews participants' accounts were digitally recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data were then analysed by two researchers until consensus was reached. Results. Findings revealed that participants' emotional health was considerably compromised as a result of the whistleblowing incident. Analysis of the data revealed the following dominant themes: 'I felt sad and depressed': overwhelming and persistent distress; 'I was having panic attacks and hyperventilating': acute anxiety; and, 'I had all this playing on my mind': nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. Conclusions. While it has been previously acknowledged that whistleblowing has the potential to have a negative impact on all aspects of an individual's life, this study notably highlights the intensity of emotional symptoms suffered by participants as well as the extended duration of time these symptoms were apparent. Relevance to clinical practice. As professionals, nurses, as well as organisations, have a responsibility to identify those who may be suffering the emotional trauma of whistleblowing and ensure they have access to appropriate resources. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18594