Negative Behaviors Among Nurses: A Scoping Review

Negative behaviors in nursing - including bullying, incivility and lateral violence - pose substantial threats to the well-being of nurses, caregivers and organizations alike. This scoping review aims to map the scientific evidence relating to these behaviors in healthcare settings. A systematic search was carried out using CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection and RCAAP as grey literature according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and presentation according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data extraction and synthesis was carried out independently by two reviewers. Of the 88 initial references, 18 studies published between 2017 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria and reported a total of 10 measurement instruments and 6 thematic domains to characterize negative behaviours among nurses. The domains found in the literature were: Spectrum of Negative Behaviors; Prevalence of Negative Behaviors; Protective and Risk Factors of Negative Behaviors; Profiles of Victims and Aggressors; Impacts of Negative Behaviors; The Nurse Manager in Mitigating Negative Behaviors. The diversity of instruments and domains highlights the multidimensionality and scope of negative behaviors in nursing. The diversity of instruments and domains highlights the multidimensionality and scope of negative behaviors in nursing. Their conceptual heterogeneity prevents comparability between institutions and health units, underlining the urgent need for standardization, clear operational definitions and validated instruments to guide evidence-based interventions.