Individual experiences of paranoia in the workplace
Individual experiences of paranoia in the workplace
Background: paranoia is common in the general population, but little is known about individual paranoid experiences in the workplace. We present the findings from the first study examining individual experiences of paranoia at work.
Methods: a cross-sectional, survey design was used in which a general population sample completed two novel scales: the Paranoia at Work Scale (PAWS; a measure of workplace paranoia), and Personal Experiences of Paranoia in the Workplace Scale (PEPS-W; a measure of individual accounts of workplace paranoia), as well as trait paranoia, stress, general belonging and workplace emotional climate measures.
Results: paranoia was relatively common in the workplace, reported by 18% of participants, which was found to be preoccupying, impacted on wellbeing, and largely inflicted by someone of superior occupational status. These experiences were associated with higher trait paranoia, workplace paranoia and stress, and lower levels of general belonging and workgroup emotional climate.
Discussion: these findings demonstrate for the first time the commonality of paranoia at work. The PAWS and the PEPS-W provide an exciting opportunity to better understand the prediction and prevention of workplace paranoia.
Paranoia, Personal Experiences, workplace
Gear, Elise Quarterman
05123913-1537-4cc8-af38-3e6f2797bb2c
Kingston, Jessica L.
421d847e-5075-4fda-adba-bc3ca51ec7bc
Ellett, Lyn
96482ea6-04b6-4a50-a7ec-ae0a3abc20ca
15 April 2026
Gear, Elise Quarterman
05123913-1537-4cc8-af38-3e6f2797bb2c
Kingston, Jessica L.
421d847e-5075-4fda-adba-bc3ca51ec7bc
Ellett, Lyn
96482ea6-04b6-4a50-a7ec-ae0a3abc20ca
Gear, Elise Quarterman, Kingston, Jessica L. and Ellett, Lyn
(2026)
Individual experiences of paranoia in the workplace.
Psychosis.
(doi:10.1080/17522439.2026.2656661).
Abstract
Background: paranoia is common in the general population, but little is known about individual paranoid experiences in the workplace. We present the findings from the first study examining individual experiences of paranoia at work.
Methods: a cross-sectional, survey design was used in which a general population sample completed two novel scales: the Paranoia at Work Scale (PAWS; a measure of workplace paranoia), and Personal Experiences of Paranoia in the Workplace Scale (PEPS-W; a measure of individual accounts of workplace paranoia), as well as trait paranoia, stress, general belonging and workplace emotional climate measures.
Results: paranoia was relatively common in the workplace, reported by 18% of participants, which was found to be preoccupying, impacted on wellbeing, and largely inflicted by someone of superior occupational status. These experiences were associated with higher trait paranoia, workplace paranoia and stress, and lower levels of general belonging and workgroup emotional climate.
Discussion: these findings demonstrate for the first time the commonality of paranoia at work. The PAWS and the PEPS-W provide an exciting opportunity to better understand the prediction and prevention of workplace paranoia.
Text
Individual Experiences of Paranoia in the Workplace_with author details
- Accepted Manuscript
Text
Individual experiences of paranoia in the workplace
- Proof
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 2 April 2026
e-pub ahead of print date: 15 April 2026
Published date: 15 April 2026
Keywords:
Paranoia, Personal Experiences, workplace
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 512084
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/512084
ISSN: 1752-2439
PURE UUID: f65af04a-f367-41c2-bf39-79f9ee430ece
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 16 Jun 2026 16:38
Last modified: 13 Aug 2026 04:54
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Elise Quarterman Gear
Author:
Jessica L. Kingston
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics