Impact Of Workplace Violence Research Articles

The impact of workplace violence on healthcare professionals’ quality of life: the mediating role of social support

The impact of workplace violence on healthcare professionals’ quality of life: the mediating role of social support

A scoping review on combating workplace violence against psychiatry residents

PurposeThis paper aims to illuminate the issue of workplace violence (WPV) against psychiatry residents. Workplace violence is known to negatively impact physical and emotional well-being, professional development and the quality of the care that mental health professionals provide to patients. The authors discuss the prevalence of, risk factors for and consequences of WPV against psychiatry residents, as well as the need for support and resources to help residents cope with the emotional challenges of their job.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a review of the literature on WPV against psychiatry residents, and includes studies on its prevalence, associated risk factors and consequences.FindingsPsychiatry residents face a heightened risk of WPV, including physical and verbal attacks, which can harm their mental and physical health and disrupt their continuity of care. Factors that contribute to WPV against psychiatry residents include exposure to aggressive or violent behaviors, inadequate training in WPV, understaffing, the stigmatization of mental illnesses, and discriminatory treatment. Furthermore, psychiatry residents who encounter WPV may develop negative emotions and attitudes toward their patients, which can compromise the care they provide.Research limitations/implicationsThe inherent heterogeneity of study designs highlighted in this review could hinder the establishment of definitive conclusions about the impact of workplace violence on psychiatry residents. A focus on studies published in English may inadvertently exclude relevant literature in other languages, potentially limiting the comprehensiveness of study findings.Originality/valueThis paper highlights resident physicians’ personal experiences with and perceptions of WPV encountered during residency training. In response, potential solutions are proposed to address WPV, including increased support for resident physicians, mandatory reporting of WPV incidents, and a cultural shift toward zero tolerance for WPV. In addition, the paper raises awareness of the limited research on this topic and the importance of further investigation.

Nurses' Perspectives on Risk Factors and Strategies to Control Workplace Violence: A National Survey in Vietnam.

We aimed to describe nurses' perspectives on risk factors and strategies to control workplace violence. To accomplish the study objectives, an online cross-sectional questionnaire-based investigation was conducted. The scales were developed in accordance with the guidelines provided by reputable organizations such as the International Labour Office (ILO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), WHO, and Public Services International (PSI), as well as previous scholarly works. Prior to implementation, the validity and reliability of the Likert scales were rigorously tested. The survey, conducted from March to May 2022, encompassed 163 public hospitals in Vietnam and was completed by 2,280 nurses employed in these institutions. According to nurses' perceptions, several key risk factors contribute to workplace violence (WPV). These include low socio-cultural awareness among patients and their family members, overcrowding in hospitals, non-compliance with hospital regulations, unrealistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes, communication issues among staff members. To effectively control WPV, nurses propose a range of strategies. These include enhancing the quality of hospital services and the hospital environment, fostering a positive workplace culture, establishing a comprehensive system for reporting and responding to incidents of WPV and developing patient care protocols. These strategies are believed to mitigate the occurrence and impact of WPV, ensuring a safer and more secure work environment for nurses. Workplace violence in healthcare settings is influenced by organizational, clinical, and environmental risk factors. Nurses adopt a multi-component approach to manage workplace violence. This study provides valuable insights for developing effective strategies to combat workplace violence in Vietnam.

PREVALENCE AND IMPACT OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AMONG NURSES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS

Workplace violence is a significant issue among nurses, particularly in tertiary care hospitals, impacting their well-being and job performance. Understanding the prevalence and types of violence can help develop effective strategies to mitigate these incidents. Objective: To investigate the prevalence, types, frequency, and impact of workplace violence among nurses in tertiary care hospitals in Lahore. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in various tertiary care hospitals in Lahore over a six-month period following approval. The study population comprised registered nurses, aged 18-65, employed in these hospitals for over a year. A sample size of 108 nurses was calculated using Salvia's formula, with convenient sampling employed for selection. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The questionnaire covered demographics, experiences of violence, perception of safety measures, coping strategies, and suggestions for improvement. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Comparisons were made using the independent t-test and chi-square test, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Verbal abuse was the most prevalent type of violence, experienced by 62.96% of respondents. Other forms of violence included discrimination (11.11%), physical assault (4.63%), bullying (4.63%), and sexual harassment (1.85%). In terms of frequency, 42.59% of nurses experienced violence rarely, 32.41% frequently, and 25.00% occasionally. The impact of workplace violence included increased stress levels (46.30%), negative impacts on mental health (24.07%), reduced work productivity (16.67%), decreased job satisfaction (11.11%), and physical injuries (1.85%). Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence and significant impact of workplace violence on nurses in tertiary care hospitals in Lahore. Verbal abuse was the most common form, with substantial proportions of nurses experiencing frequent violence. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate workplace violence and support affected healthcare workers.

Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression.

Workplace violence and aggression toward healthcare staff has a significant impact on the individual, causing self-blame, isolation and burnout. Timely and appropriate support can mitigate harm, but there is little research into how this should be delivered. We conducted multi-speciality peer groups for London doctors in postgraduate training (DPT), held over a 6-week period. Pre- and post-group burnout questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate peer support. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the data. We found four themes: (a) the experience and impact of workplace violence and aggression on DPT, (b) the experience of support following incidents of workplace violence and aggression, (c) the impact and experience of the peer groups and (d) future improvements to support. DPTs showed a reduction in burnout scores. Peer groups are effective support for DPT following workplace violence and aggression. Embedding support within postgraduate training programmes would improve access and availability.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers in the emergency department in Hong Kong

AbstractIntroductionWorkplace violence affects the dignity and well‐being of healthcare workers and poses threats to the efficiency and success of the healthcare system. Healthcare workers in the emergency department (ED) are known to be vulnerable to workplace violence. This study explored the prevalence of workplace violence in the ED in Hong Kong and factors associated with self‐reported workplace violence.MethodsAn anonymous, voluntary, self‐administered and web‐based cross‐sectional survey was carried out from 1 June to 30 June 2022 among doctors and nurses in three regional EDs. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with workplace violence.ResultsA total of 162 healthcare workers including 57 doctors and 105 nurses participated in the study, with an overall response rate of 50.8%. The overall prevalence of workplace violence was 66.7%. Verbal abuse (64.2%) was more common than physical violence (20.4%). Nursing group was significantly correlated with physical violence (aOR 7.27, p = 0.005). Reporting rate of workplace violence remained low (18.2% for physical violence and 12.5% for verbal abuse). More than half of the participants with experience of workplace violence reported that the incident affected their mental well‐being.ConclusionsWorkplace violence was a significant concern in the local ED and under‐reporting was not uncommon. Impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers and the healthcare system should be well recognised. Workplace violence protocol and prevention strategies are crucial.

Nurses’ Perceptions of the Factors Which Cause Violence and Ways of Preventions in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study

Background: Violence has been increasing worldwide. The prevalence of violence in the healthcare sector is continuously rising, and the most vulnerable places for violence is emergency departments due to the critical nature of the workplace environment. Aims: To explore the factors that contribute to violence experienced by nurses, the impact of workplace violence on nurses, and the preventive methods. understanding these issues could enhance the workplace environment and quality of healthcare. Method: A qualitative approach was used with purposive sampling of 15 emergency department nurses at hospitals in Palestine who experienced or witnessed workplace violence. Semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews were conducted to gain in-depth information about nurses’ experience in relation to workplace violence at emergency departments. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes were found to present the factors that contribute to violence experienced by nurses. These themes are: Knowledge and attitude related-issues, External-related factors and System-related issues. Four major themes emerged relating to the staff feelings, which are: Feeling overwhelmed, feeling distressed, feeling indignity and feeling helpless and fearful. Study participants offered some prevention methods to decrease workplace violence, and some suggestions to handle violence. Conclusion: Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of workplace violence in emergency departments. Hospital administrations have to ensure the safety of all employees by using suitable precautions. There is an extensive need for psychological support after violent. In addition, universities have to develop communication, violence and stress management-training courses.

The impact of workplace violence on job burnout among Chinese correctional officers: the chain mediating effects of stress and insomnia

BackgroundThe risk of workplace violence and job burnout among Chinese correctional officers is high. Stress and insomnia may influence the relationship between workplace violence and job burnout; however, this influence has been rarely studied. This study aimed to explore the effect of workplace violence on job burnout among Chinese correctional officers and to assess the contribution of stress and insomnia to this effect.MethodsIn this study, the workplace violence scale, the Assens insomnia scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey scale were used to assess the workplace violence, insomnia, stress, and job burnout experienced by the 472 correctional officers, respectively.ResultsThe results showed that (1) workplace violence was significantly and positively predictive of job burnout, (2) workplace violence affected job burnout through the mediation of stress, (3) workplace violence affected job burnout through the mediation of insomnia, and (4) stress and insomnia played fully interlocking mediating roles in the effect of workplace violence on job burnout.ConclusionStress and insomnia may play a full mediating role in the relationship between workplace violence and job burnout. This suggested that correctional officers may take measures to reduce stress and improve insomnia, thereby reducing their job burnout. Further research may focus on the development of effective interventions to reduce stress and improve insomnia among correctional officers.

The impact of workplace violence on the mental health of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new set ofwork-related stressors for health care workers. This study aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to violence and common mental disorders among health care workers in emergency care settings during COVID-19 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. We randomly selected two emergency care units. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire was used to assess common mental disorders among emergency health care workers (n = 100). We examined the relationships between common mental disorders and COVID-19 pandemic-related variables, including availability of personal protective equipment, exposure to violence, discrimination, harassment, and confidence in the workplace to handle the pandemic. We used multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios for common mental disorders. Overall, 50% (95%CI 39.8-60.1) of participants had a common mental disorder. In addition, 71% reported being victims of at least one type of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher risks ofcommon mental disorders were found among those who reported lacking personal protective equipment, being victims of discrimination, violence, or harassment, and reporting less confidence in the workplace to handle the pandemic. Participants exposed to two types of violence and three types of violence had higher prevalence ratios, with prevalence ratios of 2.28 (95%CI 1.23-4.21) and 3.14 (95%CI 1.62-6.08), respectively. Promoting access to personal protective equipment, addressing mistreatment of health workers as well as promoting their well-being at work, and building confidence in the workplace to deal with the pandemic are critical.

Exploring National Trends and Organizational Predictors of Violence and Mistreatment From Patients and Visitors.

Rising incidents of violence and mistreatment of healthcare workers by patients and visitors have been reported. U.S. healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience nonfatal workplace violence (WPV) than workers in any other profession. However, less is known about the national trends in the incidence of violence and mistreatment in healthcare. The specific organizational and individual-level factors that relate to stress arising from these occurrences specifically by patients and family members are also not fully understood. The goals of this study were to examine national trends of violence toward healthcare workers, understand which populations are most vulnerable to stress from violence and mistreatment, and explore organizational factors that are related to these occurrences. Data were collected from three sources: (1) The Bureau of Labor Statistics Intentional Injury by Another Person data for the period 2011-2020, (2) data from a large national workers' compensation claim services provider for the period 2018-2022, and (3) results from a survey distributed at a large medical center in June and July 2022. Data were represented graphically and analyzed using multivariate regression and dominance analysis to identify specific predictors of WPV and mistreatment among healthcare workers. Of the total surveyed sample, 23.7% of participants reported mistreatment from patients or visitors as a major stressor and 14.6% reported WPV from patients or visitors as a major stressor. Stress from mistreatment and WPV was most frequently reported by nurses, employees aged 18 to 24 years other than nurses, those who identified as White, and those who identified as female or a gender minority. The emergency room (ER) showed the highest percentages of stress from mistreatment (61.8%) and violence (55.9%) from patients or visitors. The top predictors of stress from WPV and mistreatment by patients or visitors among healthcare workers ranked high to low were working in the ER, working as a nurse, a lack of necessary supplies or equipment, patient or visitor attitudes or beliefs about COVID-19, and working in a hospital-based unit. In addition to protecting employees as a moral imperative, preventing WPV is critical for organizational performance. Employee productivity is estimated to decrease up to 50% in the 6 to 18 weeks following an incident of violence, while turnover can increase 30% to 40%. An effective WPV prevention plan and a proactive approach to supporting the physical and mental health conditions that may result from WPV can mitigate the potential costs and exposures from these incidents. Organizations must also set clear expectations of behavior with patients and visitors by refusing to tolerate violence and mistreatment of caregivers. The impact of WPV can remain present and active for up to 8 years following an incident. Policy-level interventions are also needed. Currently, there are no federal protections for healthcare workers related to violence, though some states have made it a felony to abuse healthcare workers.

Roles of doctor–patient relationship perception and job satisfaction in the impact of workplace violence on medical professionals’ turnover intentions in the early phase of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the role of the doctor–patient relationship (DPR) perception from the perspective of medical professionals in the association between workplace violence (WPV), job satisfaction and turnover...

Impact of workplace violence against psychological health among nurse staff from Yunnan-Myanmar Chinese border region: propensity score matching analysis

BackgroundOwing to different social background factor in Yunnan-Myanmar Chinese border region, stressful working environment may lead to extra psychological burden among nurse staff in China. However, the prevalence of workplace violence and its effect on psychological characteristics among nurse staff are still unclear. This study aims to explore the effect of workplace violence against psychological health among nurse staff from Yunnan-Myanmar Chinese border region.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 18 local governmental hospitals in Dehong districts. Participants were 1,774 nurses. Psychosocial characteristics were screened by sleep quality, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depressive symptoms, the generalized anxiety disorder-7 for anxiety symptoms, the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale – 10 item for resilience, the multidimensional scale of perceived social support for social support, the Chinese version of Work place Violence Scale for workplace violence. Propensity score matching and multivariate linear regression were applied to analyze the data.ResultsThe nurse staff with workplace violence have a higher risk of bad sleep quality (b = -0.883, 95%CI = [-1.171, -0.595]), anxiety symptoms (b = 2.531, 95%CI = [2.031, 3.031]) and depressive symptoms (b = 3.227, 95%CI = [2.635, 3.819]), loneliness (b = 0.683, 95%CI = [0.503, 0.863]), perceived cognitive deficits (b = 1.629, 95%CI = [1.131, 2.127]), poor resilience (b = -2.012, 95%CI = [-2.963, -1.061]), and poor social support (b = -5.659, 95%CI = [-7.307, -4.011]).ConclusionsPreventing workplace violence can improve mental health outcomes significantly among nurse staff, including loneliness, perceived cognitive deficits, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, resilience and social support.

Impact of Workplace Violence on Sustainable Performance of Nurses with the Mediation of Social Well-being in the Pakistani Context

The current study investigated the impact of the predictors of workplace violence (harassment, physical violence, stalking, and ostracism) on sustainable work performance with mediating the role of social well-being of Pakistani nurses considering the ‘hierarchy of need’ theory. A survey method was used to conduct the current study. The data was collected from 400 respondents of four nursing teaching colleges, affiliated with hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. The data was analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Smart Partial Least Square (PLS) software using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results revealed a negative influence of workplace violence on the performance of nurses. Moreover, it tends to dissatisfy their safety and social needs, the most important human needs according to Maslow’s theory. Since Maslow’s time, researchers continued to explore how safety and social needs impact the well-being of nurses. Social well-being is related to better physical, mental, and social health and conversely, feeling isolated (unmet safety and social need) bears negative consequences for health and well-being. Eventually, it became the reason for low performance. The findings confirmed that workplace violence is the strong predictor of sustainable performance. Whereas, nurse’s social well-being mediates the relationship between the predictors (workplace violence) and the outcome variable (performance). Therefore, the study concluded that when safety and social needs are fulfilled, nurses perform their duties enthusiastically. This is the first endeavor to use the “hierarchy of need” theory in order to mediate the effect of violence, performance, and social well-being of nurses. Therefore, the current study served as a baseline for further research in this area. The findings helped the higher authorities and hospitals’ management to devise such policies which help nurses towards organizational growth and sustainable work environment.

Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Impact of Workplace Violence among Physicians.

There is a dearth of objective data and studies pertaining to the prevalence and consequences of workplace violence against physicians in Nepal. This study aims to assess the prevalence, associated factors, and implications of workplace violence on Nepalese physicians. We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 2021 to August 2021. Nepal Medical Council-certified physicians currently working in Nepal were included in the study. Baseline characteristics, types of violence experienced, patterns, psychosocial impacts, and changes in patient management were collected. Out of 318 responses received, 302 responses met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. One-hundred and ninety (62.9%) respondents had ever faced workplace violence. Madhesh Province had the highest prevalence (81.5%). Verbal abuse (93.2%) was the most common type of violence encountered. We found a significant association between workplace violence and hours worked each week. We also found an association between workplace violence and years of experience. Our study found a significant increase in stress/depression/anxiety/idea of persecution, sense of defeat, job turnover, and loss of productivity/income with the increase in severity of workplace violence. Workplace violence is largely prevalent among Nepalese physicians. In the aftermath of workplace violence, a physician can undergo a multitude of adverse psychosocial consequences leading to a further decrease in productivity. More insights through research, formal training, and policy implementation are necessary to overcome this largely ignored problem of the medical fraternity in Nepal.

Violence in the pain clinic: the hidden pandemic

Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior or other verbal abuse directed toward persons at work or in the workplace. The incidence of workplace violence in healthcare settings in...

Impact of Workplace Violence, Bullying and Harassment on the Performance of Female Staff Nurses: A Case Study of Private Sector Hospitals of Hyderabad District, Sindh, Pakistan

Impact of Workplace Violence, Bullying and Harassment on the Performance of Female Staff Nurses: A Case Study of Private Sector Hospitals of Hyderabad District, Sindh, Pakistan

Impact of workplace violence on anxiety and sleep disturbances among Egyptian medical residents: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundWorkplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers is a common occurrence worldwide, especially among young physicians and medical residents. This study aimed to explore the negative health impacts of WPV among medical residents in Egypt, and their perception regarding how safe it is to report violence.PurposeTo investigate the prevalence of WPV among medical residents, its possible negative health impacts, specifically on sleep quality and mental health, and the perceived workplace safety climate.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional analytic study, using a convenience sample through an online questionnaire. An abuse index was calculated, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and sleep quality were collected from the reported outcomes.ResultsThe study sample included 101 residents (86.1% females). The most common reported form of abuse was verbal abuse, with the most common reported perpetrators being senior staff members (59.4%). About 86% of participants were classified as poor sleepers, while 59.4% had GAD, and there were significant positive correlations between GAD and Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores with the abuse index. More than one third (35.6%) of residents reported a very high-risk Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) score, and 31.6% of them either strongly agreed or agreed that reporting a sexual harassment claim would be dangerous.ConclusionWorkplace violence is common among Egyptian medical residents, with a significant negative impact on sleep quality and a rising risk of GAD. The promotion of a safe workplace environment is essential in protecting the health and wellbeing of medical residents.

The Impact of Workplace Violence on Headache and Sleep Problems in Nurses.

Workplace violence (WV) is a significant occupational hazard for nurses. Previous studies have shown that WV has a reciprocal relationship with occupational stress. Headaches and sleep problems are early neuropsychological signs of distress. This cross-sectional study aims to ascertain the frequency of physical or verbal assaults on nurses and to study the association of WV with headaches and sleep problems. During their regular medical examination in the workplace, 550 nurses and nursing assistants (105 males, 19.1%; mean age 48.02 ± 9.98 years) were asked to fill in a standardized questionnaire containing the Violent Incident Form (VIF) concerning the episodes of violence experienced, the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) regarding headaches, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) on sleep quality. Occupational stress was measured using the Effort/Reward Imbalance questionnaire (ERI). Physical and non-physical violence experienced in the previous year was reported by 7.5% and 17.5% of workers, respectively. In the univariate logistic regression models, the workers who experienced violence had an increased risk of headaches and sleep problems. After adjusting for sex, age, job type, and ERI, the relationship between physical violence and headaches remained significant (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 2.25; confidence interval CI95% = 1.11; 4.57). All forms of WV were significantly associated with poor sleep in a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for sex, age, job type, and ERI (aOR = 2.35 CI95% = 1.44; 3.85). WV was also associated with the impact of headaches and with sleep quality. WV prevention may reduce the frequency of lasting psychoneurological symptoms, such as headaches and poor sleep quality, that interfere with the ability to work.

Hospital Safety Climate and Nursing Staff Mental Health: The Example of Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is recognized as a serious psychosocial work hazard in the workplace. Nurses face higher risks of workplace violence and poor mental health than other medical professionals. In addition to addressing personal factors, workplace violence should be understood and managed in the context of the organizational climate. In this article, the definition and types of workplace violence and a socio-ecological perspective on workplace violence are introduced. In addition, the prevalence and impact on mental health of workplace violence are described. Lastly, the concept of safety climate and its influence on mental health are proposed. We hope this article provides readers with a better understanding of workplace violence and a contextual perspective on this issue. In addition to understanding workplace violence and learning coping strategies and skills, hospital managers should promote a positive climate of safety to reduce the occurrence of workplace violence and the impact of workplace violence on nurses.

Impact of workplace violence on South Korean nurses' turnover intention: Mediating and moderating roles of depressive symptoms.

To identify the mediating and moderating roles of depressive symptoms in the relationship between workplace violence and nurses' turnover intention in South Korea. Workplace violence and depressive symptoms are known to influence turnover intentionsof employees. Among healthcare workers, nurses may be at the greatest risk of exposure to workplace violence because they have frequent contact with patients and families of patients. Depressive symptoms reported to be related to workplace violence are one set of factors affecting turnover intention. A cross-sectional study was designed and employed to investigate mediation and moderation roles of depressive symptoms between workplace violence and turnover intention. Verbal violence and sexual harassment increased depressive symptoms, which in turn increased turnover intentions in a sample of Korean nurses. Depressive symptoms showed partial mediation effects between verbal violence and sexual harassment and turnover intention. Depressive symptoms showed moderating effects on sexual harassment and turnover intention. It is necessary to reduce turnover intention not only by preventing violence but also by managing depressive symptoms in nurses who have experienced verbal violence and sexual harassment. Depressive symptoms were shown to have a mediating and moderation roles on the relationship between WPV and turnover intention. Hospital managers such as hospital and nursing directors should provide effective policies to prevent verbal violence and sexual harassment to reduce turnover intention in the workplace. It is needed to educate patients and patient caregivers about the importance of preventing violence against nurses. Policies should be established to provide regular check-ups for depressive symptoms and psychological support for nurses who have experienced WPV.