The Impact of Workplace Bullying on Mental Health and Suicidality Among Gay and Bisexual Men Workers in Japan

This study examines the relationship between workplace bullying and mental health outcomes among gay and bisexual (GB) male workers in Japan, based on the minority stress framework. Prior research has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other populations with diverse sexual orientations are more vulnerable to mental health problems and suicide, yet few studies have focused specifically on workplace bullying as a distal stressor. Using an anonymous web-based survey conducted in 2020, data were collected from 1,202 employed GB men aged 20-69. Logistic regression analyses, including Firth's penalized likelihood method for rare events, assessed associations between bullying and psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, adjusting for sociodemographic, employment, and workplace factors. Results showed that 8.8% of respondents reported bullying due to sexual orientation. Bullying was significantly associated with higher odds of psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. These associations remained significant after controlling for confounders. The findings indicate workplace bullying is not only linked to psychological distress but also extends to suicide-related behaviors. This highlights the urgent need for organizational interventions, legal protections, and inclusive workplace cultures in Japan. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs and address intersectionality to strengthen empirical evidence and policy relevance.