The average characteristics of this sample of victims of "mobbing" involved frequent reports of physical complaints and emotional distress similar to that reported in chronic-pain populations. Male victims were more likely than female victims to have psychopathological symptoms than women, indicating significantly higher overall levels of emotional distress and more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Being older was significantly associated with social discomfort or depressive symptoms as was a higher level of education. Victims had a tendency toward being passive-aggressive and introverted. Many of the personality and psychopathological characteristics of the "mobbing" victims are likely to impair work performance. The consistent characteristics of "mobbing" victims suggests that "mobbing" acts as a trigger for the development of mental disorders in vulnerable individuals who would not otherwise experience these disorders. The study, which was conducted between 2001 and 2004, involved 146 individuals recruited for the study after being interviewed at a Worker's Union for complaints related to their work environment. Eligibility for participation was based on the completeness and accuracy of data from outpatient medical records, the M.I.N.I.-Plus interview, and the MMPI-2 self-rated questionnaires. All participants were Italians employed in southern and central Italy. 4 tables, 2 figures, and 48 references