A qualitative study on the consequences of workplace violence in psychiatric settings

Abstract

Abstract Background Violence against health care workers in psychiatric settings presents worrying data in the literature. Violence effects for healthcare professionals and organizations are absence from work for injury or illness, decreased job satisfaction and lower quality of work. The aim of the study was to identify the consequences of violence on health, work habits and performance of nurses who work with psychiatric patients. Methods The study was carried out by using a semi-structured interview with 12 nurses from different hospital and territorial psychiatric settings in Southern Italy. The interviews were conducted from July to October 2020 by telephone and recorded with the consent of the participants. The collected data were transcribed and analyzed. Results The data show that 91.7% of the interviewees were assaulted by patients. Eight nurses (66.7%) were aggressed several times and six (50%) suffered physical violence. The narratives revealed that patients mainly suffered from drug addiction and that half of them were on pharmacological treatment. Nurses reported feelings of anger, helplessness, fear and frustration; five nurses experienced health consequences, including low mood, anxiety, stress and nervousness. Some of them described pain from physical injuries and permanent effects caused by the assault. An attacked nurse has been absent from work for injury. The aggressions resulted in a change of nurses' work habits and performances; they were more careful after the aggression and modified their approach to the patient. Some of them developed skills and strategies to protect themselves and avoid aggression, others developed greater faith in the efficacy of the prescribed drug. However, the events also caused job dissatisfaction. Conclusions Aggression has a negative impact on nurses' health and work performance. Healthcare organizations should take into account the self-protection strategies identified by professionals and support them to prevent violence. Key messages Violence at work compromises nurses' health and work performance in psychiatric settings. Safer work settings could improve nurses' job satisfaction and the quality of patient care.