The Psychological Development of Horizontal (Lateral) Violence in Health Services

Abstract

Abstract Workplace violence has a major impact on productivity, morale, increase absenteeism, turnover, patient outcome, and cost. The hierarchy of the hospital structure is based on a patriarchal system dominated by male physicians and administrators with nurses in the lower position. However, because of nurses being in a lower position of hierarchy, their frustrations are acted out laterally (horizontally) toward other nurses. This paper is an analysis of the literature in addressing the psychological process of lateral (horizontal) violence among health healthcare employees in health services organizations. A model was developed describing this psychological process with the proposed impact of preventive strategies. Horizontal hostility or lateral violence (LV) has been defined as unkind, discourteous, antagonistic interactions between employees in the workplace. Also, nurses experienced numerous physical and psychologic stress and even death. In many health services organizations, this horizontal/ lateral violence behavior is accepted and considered the norm and often overlooked and not reported. Health services organizations need to promote better working relationships among healthcare professionals to have better patient outcomes