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Wizner K, Journeay WS, Jolivet D, Ahle J. Mild traumatic brain injury caused by workplace violence in a US workers' compensation system. Occup Environ Med 2024:oemed-2024-109437. [PMID: 38981678 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2024-109437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Approximately 81% of traumatic brain injury cases are considered to be mild (mTBI), but few studies have reviewed mTBI caused by workplace violence (WPV). This study aimed to (1) determine the incidence of mTBI secondary to WPV in a statewide workers' compensation system using International Classification of Disease codes and (2) analyse and compare factors associated with return-to-work outcomes between WPV mTBI cases versus other mechanisms. METHODS Using a retrospective cohort of claims data from the California Workers' Compensation Information System during 2015-2019, cases with a return-to-work date were classified as WPV if the injury description contained keywords such as assault, gunpoint, harassed, intimidated, punch, threat, robbery, violent or verbal abuse. RESULTS Of the 14 089 mTBI claims analysed in this study, 11.2% were caused by WPV. When comparing WPV to non-WPV claims, the variables with statistically significant (p≤0.001) differences were age, income, industry and job class. There were no significant differences between groups for leave duration. In a linear mixed model, the variable of interest (WPV) was not associated with recovery duration after adjusting for other factors. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine WPV mTBI claims in the USA. The findings suggest that the public administration, education and healthcare and social services industries are at higher risk for WPV mTBI. WPV and job class were the only modifiable factors in the model and therefore should be the focus of additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - W Shane Journeay
- Departments of Medicine and Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Dalhousie University, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dalhousie University, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Providence Healthcare - Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Blindow KJ, Cedstrand E, Elling DL, Hagland M, Bodin T. Gender-based violence and harassment at work and health and occupational outcomes. A systematic review of prospective studies. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1788. [PMID: 38965519 PMCID: PMC11225130 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many people experience forms of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the context of their work. This includes a wide range of experiences, from subtle expressions of hostility to physical assault, that can also be of a sexual nature (e.g., sexual harassment or assault). This systematic review aimed to summarize findings about the prospective associations of work-related GBVH with people's health and occupational situation. METHODS We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for prospective studies in English from 1990 to May 24, 2023. Studies were included if they concerned a working population, exposure to any form of GBVH in the work context, and a health outcome or manifest occupational outcome. Quality was assessed with a modified version of the Cochrane 'Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Cohort Studies', and studies assessed as low quality were excluded from the narrative synthesis. For the narrative synthesis, we grouped the results by similar exposures and outcomes and reported the strength and statistical significance of the associations. RESULTS Of the 1 937 screened records, 29 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. Studies were mainly conducted in the USA and northern Europe and investigated exposure to sexual violence or harassment (SVH). Only two included studies investigated non-sexual kinds of GBVH. Consistently, studies showed associations of work-related SVH with poor mental health and there were indications of an association with hazardous substance use. There was no consistent evidence for an association of SVH with subsequent sickness absence, and there were too few studies concerning physical health and occupational outcomes to synthesize the results. CONCLUSIONS There is consistent evidence of work-related SVH as a risk factor for subsequent poor mental health. There is no indication that the health consequences of SVH differ between women and men, although women are more often affected. There is a need for conceptual consistency, the consideration of non-sexual behaviors and prospective studies that test clear hypotheses about the temporal sequence of events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina J Blindow
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden.
| | - Emma Cedstrand
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm Region, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Devy L Elling
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Malin Hagland
- Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Stockholm Region, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Theo Bodin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm Region, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
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Biswas A, Mustard CA, Landsman V. Trends in severity of work-related traumatic injury and musculoskeletal disorder, Ontario 2004-2017. Am J Ind Med 2024; 67:646-656. [PMID: 38751170 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Traumatic injury surveillance can be enhanced by describing injury severity trends. This study reports trends in work-related injury severity for males and females over the period 2004-2017 in Ontario, Canada. METHODS A weighted measure of workers' compensation benefit expenditures was used to define injury severity, obtained from the linkage of workers' compensation claims to emergency department (ED) records where the main injury or illness was attributed to work. Denominator counts were obtained from Statistics Canada's Labor Force Survey. Trends in the annual incidence of injury, classified as low, moderate, or high severity, were examined using regression modeling, stratified by age and sex. RESULTS Over a 14-year observation period, there were 1,636,866 ED records included in the analyses. Overall, 57.6% of occupational injury records were classified as low severity, 29.5% as moderate severity, and 12.8% as high severity conditions. There was an increase in the incidence of high severity injuries among females (annual percent change (APC): 1.52%; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.28), while the incidence of low and moderate severity injuries generally declined for males and females. Among females, injuries attributed to animate mechanical forces and assault increased as causes of low, moderate, and high severity injuries. The incidence of concussion increased for both males (APC: 10.51%; 95% CI: 8.18, 12.88) and females (APC: 16.37%; 95% CI: 13.37, 19.45). CONCLUSION The incidence of severe work-related injuries increased among females in Ontario between 2004 and 2017. The methods applied in this surveillance study of traumatic injury severity are plausibly generalizable to applications in other jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aviroop Biswas
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cameron A Mustard
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Victoria Landsman
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Pien LC, Cheng Y, Lee FC, Cheng WJ. The effect of multiple types of workplace violence on burnout risk, sleep quality, and leaving intention among nurses. Ann Work Expo Health 2024:wxae052. [PMID: 38888222 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of our study is to explore the associations between multiple types of workplace violence (WPV) and burnout risk, sleep problems, and leaving intention among nurses. METHODS This cross-sectional survey recruited 1,742 nurses, and data on WPV experiences were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Work conditions, burnout risk scales, sleep quality, and leaving intentions were also evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of WPV with burnout risk, sleep quality, and leaving intentions, adjusting for demographic characteristics and work conditions. RESULTS The study found that 66.7% of nurses reported experience of WPV, with 26.9% experiencing both physical and nonphysical forms. Those who experienced multiple types of WPV reported worse work conditions, higher burnout risk, poorer sleep quality, and a stronger leaving intention compared to those without such experiences. Adjusting for working conditions, logistic regression analysis showed that nurses who experienced multiple types of WPV had 2.12-fold higher odds of high personal burnout risk, 2.36-fold higher odds of high client-related burnout risk, 1.95-fold higher odds of poor sleep quality, and 1.80-fold higher odds of high leaving intention, compared to those without WPV experiences. CONCLUSIONS Strategies by hospital managers and policymakers to monitor and reduce workplace violence are vital for sustaining nurses' mental health, well-being, and preventing early attrition from the profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Chung Pien
- Post-Baccalaureate Program in Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing St., Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Psychiatric Research Center, Wanfang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 111, Sec. 3, Xinglong Rd., Taipei, 116079, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Wanfang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, No. 111, Sec. 3, Xinglong Rd., Taipei, 116079, Taiwan
| | - Yawen Cheng
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xuzhou Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Chun Lee
- Nursing Department, Taipei City Hospital Songde Branch, 145 Zhengzhou Rd., Taipei, 103212, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ju Cheng
- National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Rd., Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yude Rd., Taichung, 404327, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, 100 Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd., Taichung, 706040, Taiwan
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O'Brien CJ, van Zundert AA, Barach PR. The growing burden of workplace violence against healthcare workers: trends in prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and prevention - a narrative review. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 72:102641. [PMID: 38840669 PMCID: PMC11152903 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCW) is a globally growing problem in healthcare systems. Despite decades of research and interventions violent incidents are rising in their severity and frequency. A structured review of PubMed and Scopus databases and supplementary internet searches, resulted in a synthesis of evidence covering multiple countries and healthcare worker populations. High rates of WPV are increasingly common due to unmet patient expectations, poor communication, long wait times and organizational factors such as resourcing and infrastructure. We highlight links between WPV and poor worker health outcomes, staff turnover, reduced patient safety and medical errors. Few prevention and mitigation activities have shown sustained effects, highlighting the challenges in understanding and addressing the complex interplay of factors that drive violence against HCWs. The rapidly rising incidence of WPV requires special consideration and action from multiple stakeholders including patients and visitors, healthcare providers, law enforcement, media and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor J. O'Brien
- The Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Campus, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - André A.J. van Zundert
- The Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Campus, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Paul R. Barach
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Kamaja V, Nordquist H. The recovery processes among paramedics who encountered violence during work-a narrative interview study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2024; 19:17. [PMID: 38750485 PMCID: PMC11097420 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-024-00417-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Almost all paramedics encounter workplace violence (WPV) during their careers. The most common form of WPV is verbal, and the perpetrator is usually the patient. It is known that paramedics suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems, and WPV is one of the reasons behind that. Nevertheless, little is known about the recovery processes paramedics have had after encountering WPV. The research question was: What kind of recovery processes have paramedics had after encountering WPV? METHODS A qualitative, narrative interview study was done. Data was collected in individual interviews with Finnish paramedics (n = 18). Paramedics were from different parts of Finland, and their ages varied from 24 to 49 years. They had been working in EMS for an average of 10.5 years (range 1.5 to 25 years). Interviews were conducted with a narrative approach, which enabled paramedics to narrate their experiences and speak on their own terms about the subject to the extent of their choosing. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Ten recovery process themes were identified: Strong psychological and physical reactions in a short time frame, Questioning one's profession and actions, Various support structures aided in recovery, Dysfunctional processes hindered recovery, Personal resources provided support, The support of the workcommunity as a lifeline, Left to cope alone, Permanent changes to work routines, Resulting in professional growth and Eternal crack in the shell. CONCLUSIONS Many internal and external factors affect paramedics' recovery processes. While some receive adequate help, others struggle to get appropriate support, especially from their organization and supervisors. The findings of this study suggest that clear protocols should be established to help paramedics recover after encountering WPV and that an individual aspect should be kept in mind, as not everybody reacts in the same way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veera Kamaja
- Jokilaakson Terveys Oy, Sairaalantie 11, Jämsä, 42100, Finland
| | - Hilla Nordquist
- Department of Healthcare and Emergency Care, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Pääskysentie 1, Kotka, 48220, Finland.
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Balkaran K, Linton J, Doupe M, Roger K, Kelly C. Research on Abuse in Home Care: A Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:885-897. [PMID: 37078630 PMCID: PMC10913332 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231165922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Home care is the preferred care option for most people who need support; yet abuse exists in these settings toward both home care workers and clients. There are no existing reviews that assess the scope of current research on abuse in home care, and tangentially related reviews are dated. For these reasons, a scoping review is warranted to map the current state of research on abuse in home care and examine current interventions in this field. Databases selected for searching were Medline and EMBASE on OVID, Scopus, and the following databases in EBSCOhost: Academic Search Complete, AgeLine, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Records were included if: (a) they were written in English; (b) the participants were home care workers or clients age 18 years or older; (c) they were published in journals; (d) they undertook empirical research; and (e) they were published within the last 10-year period. Following Graham et al. (2006), the 52 included articles are categorized as either knowledge inquiry or as intervention studies. We find three themes among knowledge inquiry studies: (1) prevalence and types of abuse in home care, (2) abuse in the context of living with dementia, and (3) working conditions and abuse. Analysis from the intervention studies suggest that not all organizations have specific policies and practices to prevent abuse, and no existing interventions to protect the well-being of clients were identified. Findings from this review can inform up-to-date practice and policymaking to improve the health and well-being of home care clients and workers.
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Magnavita N, Larese Filon F, Giorgi G, Meraglia I, Chirico F. Assessing Workplace Violence: Methodological Considerations. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2024; 115:e2024003. [PMID: 38411977 PMCID: PMC10915676 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v115i1.15186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The risk of violence is present in all workplaces. It must be accurately assessed to establish prevention and protection measures tailored to the features of each situation. The risk management process requires compliance in a sequential order: 1) risk identification, 2) quantitative risk assessment, and 3) impact assessment. Gathering workers' experiences using lists, focus groups, or participatory ergonomics groups is necessary to identify the phenomenon. For risk assessment, spontaneous reporting of events is often insufficient. It may be complemented with two methods: systematic recording of violent events that occurred in the past year during periodic medical examinations of workers and targeted surveys. The epidemiological analysis of data from individual interviews and surveys provides the phenomenon's prevalence, incidence, and evolution. Moreover, reporting the harm suffered by victims of violence allows constructing impact matrices to allocate resources where they are most needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Magnavita
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Univeristà Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Department of Woman, Child and Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Giorgi
- Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Igor Meraglia
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Univeristà Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Chirico
- Health Service Department, Italian State Police, Ministry of the Interior, Milan, Italy
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Seppälä P, Olin N, Kalavainen S, Clottes Heikkilä H, Kivimäki M, Remes J, Ervasti J. Effectiveness of a workshop-based intervention to reduce bullying and violence at work: A 2-year quasi-experimental intervention study. Soc Sci Med 2023; 338:116318. [PMID: 37879133 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bullying and violence at work are associated with reduced wellbeing of the victims, but few evidence-based interventions are available to prevent these offensive behaviours. We developed and examined the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at prevention of bullying and violence at work through modifications in psychosocial work environment. METHODS In accordance with pre-published protocol, employees and supervisors of 12 work units in 3 cities (intervention group A: n = 315; intervention group B: n = 271) received a workshop-based intervention on organizational practices to prevent bullying and violence, including supervisor support, supervisor justice, workplace social capital, and psychological safety and were compared to a reference group (n = 2310) which did not receive the intervention. Latent change score modelling (LCSM) was used to estimate between- and within-individual differences in changes of organizational practices and prevalence of bullying and violence from baseline (2020) to follow-up (2022). RESULTS No direct or indirect effects of intervention were observed. Of the potential mediator variables, supervisor support (B = 0.04; 95% confidence interval 0.006, 0.07) and supervisor justice (0.04; 0.01, 0.08) improved in the intervention group B between the measurements and compared to control group, but the result was not replicated in intervention group A. No changes were observed between the measurement points in bullying or violence at work. CONCLUSIONS No intervention effects on bullying and violence at work were observed. It may be worthwhile to develop the intervention further to focus more on supervisor and co-worker relationships and on psychosocial resources of work team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piia Seppälä
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Olin
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Mika Kivimäki
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland; Clinicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; UCL Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jouko Remes
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Ervasti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
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Yusoff HM, Ahmad H, Ismail H, Reffin N, Chan D, Kusnin F, Bahari N, Baharudin H, Aris A, Shen HZ, Rahman MA. Contemporary evidence of workplace violence against the primary healthcare workforce worldwide: a systematic review. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2023; 21:82. [PMID: 37833727 PMCID: PMC10576303 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-023-00868-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Violence against healthcare workers recently became a growing public health concern and has been intensively investigated, particularly in the tertiary setting. Nevertheless, little is known of workplace violence against healthcare workers in the primary setting. Given the nature of primary healthcare, which delivers essential healthcare services to the community, many primary healthcare workers are vulnerable to violent events. Since the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, the number of epidemiological studies on workplace violence against primary healthcare workers has increased globally. Nevertheless, a comprehensive review summarising the significant results from previous studies has not been published. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to collect and analyse recent evidence from previous workplace violence studies in primary healthcare settings. Eligible articles published in 2013-2023 were searched from the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed literature databases. Of 23 included studies, 16 were quantitative, four were qualitative, and three were mixed method. The extracted information was analysed and grouped into four main themes: prevalence and typology, predisposing factors, implications, and coping mechanisms or preventive measures. The prevalence of violence ranged from 45.6% to 90%. The most commonly reported form of violence was verbal abuse (46.9-90.3%), while the least commonly reported was sexual assault (2-17%). Most primary healthcare workers were at higher risk of patient- and family-perpetrated violence (Type II). Three sub-themes of predisposing factors were identified: individual factors (victims' and perpetrators' characteristics), community or geographical factors, and workplace factors. There were considerable negative consequences of violence on both the victims and organisations. Under-reporting remained the key issue, which was mainly due to the negative perception of the effectiveness of existing workplace policies for managing violence. Workplace violence is a complex issue that indicates a need for more serious consideration of a resolution on par with that in other healthcare settings. Several research gaps and limitations require additional rigorous analytical and interventional research. Information pertaining to violent events must be comprehensively collected to delineate the complete scope of the issue and formulate prevention strategies based on potentially modifiable risk factors to minimise the negative implications caused by workplace violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanizah Mohd Yusoff
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hanis Ahmad
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Halim Ismail
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Naiemy Reffin
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - David Chan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Faridah Kusnin
- The State of Selangor Health Department, Tingkat 9, 10-11, Wisma 16 Sunway Mas, Lot 1, Jalan Persiaran Kayangan, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazaruddin Bahari
- The State of Selangor Health Department, Tingkat 9, 10-11, Wisma 16 Sunway Mas, Lot 1, Jalan Persiaran Kayangan, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hafiz Baharudin
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azila Aris
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Huam Zhe Shen
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Maisarah Abdul Rahman
- Anaesthesiology Department, Hospital Queen Elizabeth II, Lorong Bersatu Off Jalan Damai, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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Byon HD, Harris C, Crandall M, Song J, Topaz M. Identifying Type II workplace violence from clinical notes using natural language processing. Workplace Health Saf 2023; 71:484-490. [PMID: 37387505 DOI: 10.1177/21650799231176078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type II workplace violence in health care, perpetrated by patients/clients toward home healthcare nurses, is a serious health and safety issue. A significant portion of violent incidents are not officially reported. Natural language processing can detect these "hidden cases" from clinical notes. In this study, we computed the 12-month prevalence of Type II workplace violence from home healthcare nurses' clinical notes by developing and utilizing a natural language processing system. METHODS Nearly 600,000 clinical visit notes from two large U.S.-based home healthcare agencies were analyzed. The notes were recorded from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Rule- and machine-learning-based natural language processing algorithms were applied to identify clinical notes containing workplace violence descriptions. RESULTS The natural language processing algorithms identified 236 clinical notes that included Type II workplace violence toward home healthcare nurses. The prevalence of physical violence was 0.067 incidents per 10,000 home visits. The prevalence of nonphysical violence was 3.76 incidents per 10,000 home visits. The prevalence of any violence was four incidents per 10,000 home visits. In comparison, no Type II workplace violence incidents were recorded in the official incident report systems of the two agencies in this same time period. CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATION TO PRACTICE Natural language processing can be an effective tool to augment formal reporting by capturing violence incidents from daily, ongoing, large volumes of clinical notes. It can enable managers and clinicians to stay informed of potential violence risks and keep their practice environment safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Do Byon
- University of Virginia School of Nursing
| | | | - Mary Crandall
- University of Virginia School of Nursing
- Continuum Home Health Care, UVA Health
| | | | - Maxim Topaz
- Columbia University School of Nursing
- Columbia University Data Science Institute
- VNS Health
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12
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Airaksinen J, Pentti J, Seppälä P, Virtanen M, Ropponen A, Elovainio M, Kivimäki M, Ervasti J. Prediction of violence or threat of violence among employees in social work, healthcare and education: the Finnish Public Sector cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e075489. [PMID: 37643844 PMCID: PMC10465908 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop a risk prediction algorithm for identifying work units with increased risk of violence in the workplace. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Public sector employees in Finland. PARTICIPANTS 18 540 nurses, social and youth workers, and teachers from 4276 work units who completed a survey on work characteristics, including prevalence and frequency of workplace violence/threat of violence at baseline in 2018-2019 and at follow-up in 2020-2021. Those who reported daily or weekly exposure to violence or threat of violence daily at baseline were excluded. EXPOSURES Mean scores of responses to 87 survey items at baseline were calculated for each work unit, and those scores were then assigned to each employee within that work unit. The scores measured sociodemographic characteristics and work characteristics of the work unit. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE Increase in workplace violence between baseline and follow-up (0=no increase, 1=increase). RESULTS A total of 7% (323/4487) of the registered nurses, 15% (457/3109) of the practical nurses, 5% of the social and youth workers (162/3442) and 5% of the teachers (360/7502) reported more frequent violence/threat of violence at follow-up than at baseline. The area under the curve values estimating the prediction accuracy of the prediction models were 0.72 for social and youth workers, 0.67 for nurses, and 0.63 for teachers. The risk prediction model for registered nurses included five work unit characteristics associated with more frequent violence at follow-up. The model for practical nurses included six characteristics, the model for social and youth workers seven characteristics and the model for teachers included four characteristics statistically significantly associated with higher likelihood of increased violence. CONCLUSIONS The generated risk prediction models identified employees working in work units with high likelihood of future workplace violence with reasonable accuracy. These survey-based algorithms can be used to target interventions to prevent workplace violence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaana Pentti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Piia Seppälä
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marianna Virtanen
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
- Department Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annina Ropponen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- Department Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marko Elovainio
- Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Kivimäki
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jenni Ervasti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Magnusson Hanson LL, Pentti J, Nordentoft M, Xu T, Rugulies R, Madsen IEH, Conway PM, Westerlund H, Vahtera J, Ervasti J, Batty GD, Kivimäki M. Association of workplace violence and bullying with later suicide risk: a multicohort study and meta-analysis of published data. Lancet Public Health 2023; 8:e494-e503. [PMID: 37393088 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(23)00096-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workplace offensive behaviours, such as violence and bullying, have been linked to psychological symptoms, but their potential impact on suicide risk remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association of workplace violence and bullying with the risk of death by suicide and suicide attempt in multiple cohort studies. METHODS In this multicohort study, we used individual-participant data from three prospective studies: the Finnish Public Sector study, the Swedish Work Environment Survey, and the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study. Workplace violence and bullying were self-reported at baseline. Participants were followed up for suicide attempt and death using linkage to national health records. We additionally searched the literature for published prospective studies and pooled our effect estimates with those from published studies. FINDINGS During 1 803 496 person-years at risk, we recorded 1103 suicide attempts or deaths in participants with data on workplace violence (n=205 048); the corresponding numbers for participants with data on workplace bullying (n=191 783) were 1144 suicide attempts or deaths in 1 960 796 person-years, which included data from one identified published study. Workplace violence was associated with an increased risk of suicide after basic adjustment for age, sex, educational level, and family situation (hazard ratio 1·34 [95% CI 1·15-1·56]) and full adjustment (additional adjustment for job demands, job control, and baseline health problems, 1·25 [1·08-1·47]). Where data on frequency were available, a stronger association was observed among people with frequent exposure to violence (1·75 [1·27-2·42]) than occasional violence (1·27 [1·04-1·56]). Workplace bullying was also associated with an increased suicide risk (1·32 [1·09-1·59]), but the association was attenuated after adjustment for baseline mental health problems (1·16 [0·96-1·41]). INTERPRETATION Observational data from three Nordic countries suggest that workplace violence is associated with an increased suicide risk, highlighting the importance of effective prevention of violent behaviours at workplaces. FUNDING Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, Academy of Finland, Finnish Work Environment Fund, and Danish Working Environment Research Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaana Pentti
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mads Nordentoft
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tianwei Xu
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Reiner Rugulies
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida E H Madsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Hugo Westerlund
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jussi Vahtera
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jenni Ervasti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - G David Batty
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mika Kivimäki
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland; UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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14
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Baek EM, Lee B. Implementation of a workplace protection system and its correlation with experiences of workplace violence: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1241. [PMID: 37370019 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16112-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While customer interactions are inherent and essential aspects of the service industry, instances of violence against service workers have brought social attention to the need for a system to ensure their protection. In South Korea, a protection system for the health of service workers has been implemented to prevent this type of violence and its negative consequences. This study conducted a comparative analysis to clarify the impacts of this protection system across a sample of service workers. We collected data on their general characteristics, occupational characteristics, and experiences with the service protection system to determine how those factors were related to workplace violence, with a focus on whether the system has reduced such occurrences. METHODS We collected self-reported survey data over 28 days (March 2 to March 30, 2020), resulting in 1,349 (99.3%) responses for our final analysis. We conducted a chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to investigate the general and occupational characteristics, experiences of violence, and experiences with the worker protection system. RESULTS We found workplace violence is more observed among males, older workers, electronic equipment repairers, irregular workers, and those who worked for extended periods. On the other hand, we found a reduction in the occurrence of workplace violence in businesses that provided service workers with regular counseling from professional counselors, had designated persons responsible for grievance procedures, and/or had grievance procedure committees. We found the lowest likelihood of workplace violence in businesses that operated stress relaxation programs (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study identified a correlation between the adoption of the protection system for service workers and the prevalence of workplace violence. We also clarified the effects of the service protection system and developed a plan for its expansion. KEY POINTS This study clarified the correlation between the adoption of the protection system for service workers and the occurrence of workplace violence. Along with our investigation of the protection system's effects, these findings provide a basis for expanding Korea's existing worker protection system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Mi Baek
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 06591, Seoul, South Korea
| | - BoKim Lee
- Department of Nursing, University of Ulsan, 93 Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, 44610, Ulsan, South Korea.
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15
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Jakobsson J, Örmon K, Axelsson M, Berthelsen H. Exploring workplace violence on surgical wards in Sweden: a cross-sectional study. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:106. [PMID: 37029387 PMCID: PMC10079490 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01275-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workplace violence is a global threat to healthcare professionals' occupational health and safety and the situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore workplace violence directed against assistant and registered nurses working on surgical wards in Sweden. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2022. Using a convenience sampling procedure, 198 assistant and registered nurses responded to an online questionnaire developed for this specific study. The questionnaire comprised 52 items and included, among other items, subscales from validated and previously used instruments. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and independent-samples t-test. RESULTS The most frequently reported type of workplace violence was humiliation (28.8%), followed by physical violence (24.2%), threats (17.7%), and unwanted sexual attention (12.1%). Patients and patients' visitors were reported as the main perpetrators of all kinds of exposure. Additionally, one third of the respondents had experienced humiliation from colleagues. Both threats and humiliation showed negative associations with work motivation and health (p < 0.05). Respondents classified as working in a high- or moderate-risk environment were more frequently exposed to threats (p = 0.025) and humiliation (p = 0.003). Meanwhile, half of the respondents were unaware of any action plans or training regarding workplace violence. However, of those who indicated that they had been exposed to workplace violence, the majority had received quite a lot or a lot of support, mainly from colleagues (range 70.8-80.8%). CONCLUSION Despite a high prevalence of workplace violence, and especially of humiliating acts, there appeared to be low preparedness within the hospital organizations to prevent and/or handle such incidents. To improve these conditions, hospital organizations should place more emphasis on preventive measures as part of their systematic work environment management. To help inform such initiatives, it is suggested that future research should focus on the identification of suitable measures regarding different types of incidents, perpetrators, and settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Jakobsson
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Karin Örmon
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- The Västra Götaland Region Competence Center on Intimate Partner Violence, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Axelsson
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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16
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Tiesman HM, Hendricks SA, Wiegand DM, Lopes-Cardozo B, Rao CY, Horter L, Rose CE, Byrkit R. Workplace Violence and the Mental Health of Public Health Workers During COVID-19. Am J Prev Med 2023; 64:315-325. [PMID: 36464557 PMCID: PMC9659550 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health workers were at an increased risk for violence and harassment due to their public health work and experienced adverse mental health conditions. This article quantifies the prevalence of job-related threats, harassment, and discrimination against public health workers and measures the association of these incidents with mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A nonprobability convenience sample of state, local, and tribal public health workers completed a self-administered, online survey in April 2021. The survey link was emailed to members of national public health associations and included questions on workplace violence, demographics, workplace factors, and mental health symptoms. Mental health symptoms were measured using standardized, validated tools to assess depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable Poisson models calculated adjusted prevalence ratios of mental health symptoms, with workplace violence as the primary risk factor. Analyses were conducted in 2021-2022. RESULTS Experiencing any type or combination of workplace violence was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of reporting depression symptoms (prevalence ratio=1.21, 95% CI=1.15, 1.27), anxiety (prevalence ratio=1.21, 95% CI=1.15, 1.27), post-traumatic stress disorder (prevalence ratio=1.31, 95% CI=1.25, 1.37), and suicidal ideation (prevalence ratio=1.26, 95% CI=1.14, 1.38), after adjusting for confounders. A dose‒response relationship was found between the number of workplace violence events experienced by a public health worker and the likelihood of reporting mental health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Violence targeted at the public health workforce is detrimental to workers and their communities. Ongoing training, workplace support, and increased communication after a workplace violence incident may be helpful. Efforts to strengthen public health capacities and support the public health workforce are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope M Tiesman
- Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
| | - Scott A Hendricks
- Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Douglas M Wiegand
- Hazard Evaluations & Technical Assistance Branch, Division of Field Studies & Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Barbara Lopes-Cardozo
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Carol Y Rao
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Libby Horter
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Goldbelt C6, Chesapeake, Virginia
| | - Charles E Rose
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ramona Byrkit
- COVID-19 Response Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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17
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Andersen LPS, Biering K, Conway PM. Negative Acts as Risk Factor for Work-Related Violence and Threats from Clients towards Employees: A Follow-Up Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3358. [PMID: 36834051 PMCID: PMC9961764 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-related violence and threats are major problems in many occupations, especially within the human service sector, with consequences at multiple levels, including reduced physical and mental health, increased absenteeism, and reduced organizational commitment. It is, therefore, crucial to identify risk factors for work-related violence and threats. However, only a few studies have examined whether negative acts at work increase the risk of work-related violence and threats from clients toward employees. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between exposure to negative acts towards employees from colleagues, clients, or a combination of both, and the risk of work-related violence and threats perpetrated by clients towards employees in a longitudinal study. METHODS Questionnaire data were collected in 2010, 2011, and 2015. In total, 5333 employees from special schools, psychiatric wards, eldercare, and the Prison and Probation Services participated in the first round of data collection in 2010. Negative acts were measured in 2010 using the Short Negative Acts Questionnaire, while work-related threats and violence were measured at all three-time points. The analyses were performed using multilevel logistic regression. RESULTS Negative acts from clients and the combination of negative acts from both clients and colleagues were associated with later exposure to work-related violence and threats. The associations were observed after one year, and work-related threats were still present after four years. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Negative acts are associated with an increased risk of work-related violence and threats perpetrated by clients toward employees. Organizations may reduce the risk of work-related violence and threats by preventing negative acts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Peter Sønderbo Andersen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine—University Research Clinic, Goedstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark
| | - Karin Biering
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine—University Research Clinic, Goedstrup Hospital, 7400 Herning, Denmark
| | - Paul Maurice Conway
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Andersen LP, Elklit A, Pihl-Thingvad J. Crisis social support after work-related violence and threats and risk for depressive symptoms: a 3-months follow-up study. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:42. [PMID: 36774520 PMCID: PMC9921483 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01081-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Employees working at psychiatric wards are at risk for work-related threats and violence that may impact their physical and mental health. Studies have found that crisis social support may mitigate these adverse health effects. PURPOSE To examine the effects crisis social support on depressive symptoms 3 months after a violent or threating work incident and furthermore, to examine the effect of variations in prolonged social support on depressive symptoms during 3 months after a violent or threating incident. METHODOLOGY After exposure to work-related violence and threats at work, the employees received a questionnaire within the first month and after 3 months. Right after the incident, 374 employees answered both the depression and crisis support items and were included in the analyses. 3 months later 276 employees answered both the depression and social support items. Prospective associations between crisis social support and depression were calculated using stepwise regressions and linear mixed models. RESULTS Crisis social support at T1 was significantly and inversely associated with a lower level of depressive symptoms at T2, Std. Beta = - 012, t (3) = - 2.1, p = .040. Employees experiencing either a stable or increasing level of support from T1 to T2 had significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms compared to employees who experienced a decrease in support in the same period, mean differenceStable-Decreasing = 4.0 t (190) = 5.2, p = 0.006 and mean differenceIncreasing-Decreasing = 7.6, t (189) = 5.3, p < .001. CONCLUSION The study results indicate that depressive symptoms following work-related violence or threats can be mitigated by prolonged social support. We recommend that organizations continue to offer crisis social support in the subsequent months, and not just immediately after a violent or threating incident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Peter Andersen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine - University Research Clinic, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
| | - Ask Elklit
- grid.10825.3e0000 0001 0728 0170Department of Psychology, National Center of Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jesper Pihl-Thingvad
- grid.7143.10000 0004 0512 5013Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark ,grid.10825.3e0000 0001 0728 0170Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Andersen DR, Karlsen IL, Jaspers SØ, Pedersen AHM, Andersen LPS, Aust B. Experiences of preventing violence in two high-risk sectors: A qualitative study of front-line workers. Work 2023:WOR220151. [PMID: 36710701 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to workplace violence is associated with physical and/or psychological trauma. Despite its significant impact, little is known about front-line workers' experiences of preventing workplace violence. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify what workers identify as important to preventing workplace conflicts from escalating into violence. METHODS We conducted seventeen qualitative focus-group interviews with fifty-eight workers at the Danish Prison and Probation Service and psychiatric hospitals. We applied thematic analysis to identify types of violence-prevention practices, and prerequisites for successfully preventing workplace violence. RESULTS We identified two main categories of violence-prevention practices, and one main category of prerequisites for violence-prevention practices. Main category A), "the individual worker's violence-prevention practices" included the sub-categories, 1) identify the causes of workplace violence and potentially violent situations, 2) establish relationships, state rules, and set clear boundaries and 3) display empathy and communicate respectfully. Main category B), "collaborative practices for preventing workplace violence" included 4) communicate with co-workers, and share information and observations, 5) coordinate work, avoid being played off against colleagues, and support colleagues. Main category C), "prerequisites for violence-prevention practices" included 6) managing one's emotions, and 7) having sufficient time to do the job, and being a part of a stable team, whose members know each other and the inmates/patients". CONCLUSION This study contributes to a better understanding of the interplay among individual, collaborative, and contextual aspects of preventing workplace violence. We believe that an increased understanding of the complexity of preventing workplace violence in high-risk sectors is useful when designing comprehensive violence-prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorte R Andersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine - University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - Iben L Karlsen
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sofie Ø Jaspers
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Helene M Pedersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine - University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - Lars Peter S Andersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine - University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - Birgit Aust
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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He Q, Martins LMD, Wang S, Zhan Q, Yu X, Ba Z, Li W, Huang H. Job security among healthcare workers in Guangdong, China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1096825. [PMID: 36935715 PMCID: PMC10014790 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1096825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to explore the sense of job security and its influencing factors among healthcare workers in Guangdong, China. Methods This cross-sectional study used stratified random sampling to enroll healthcare workers employed by hospitals across Guangdong province between September 2020 and October 2020. Results A total of 4,173 questionnaires were distributed, and 4,076 were returned for an effective recovery rate of 97.68%. The overall score for the sense of security was 64.85 ± 20.09, and the item means score was 2.95 ± 0.91. Multiple-linear regression analysis showed that work experience (years), education level, job position, specialty unit, employment type, marital status, job satisfaction, WPV frequency, daily sleep duration, weekly overtime hours, average monthly earnings (RMB), hospital level, and region were significantly associated with senses of poor security among healthcare workers (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Hospital workers in Guangdong reported relatively low levels of job security. Levels of job security were significantly associated with multiple factors which could be addressed by hospital practices to improve the sense of job security among healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxia He
- Center of Guangdong Mental Health, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luís M. Dias Martins
- BRU-Business Research Unit ISCTE-IUL (Institute University of Lisbon), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Shibin Wang
- Center of Guangdong Mental Health, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qishan Zhan
- Nursing Department, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Nursing Department, Guangzhou Kangda Vocational Technical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiong Ba
- Nursing Department, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangjiu Li
- Nursing Department, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huigen Huang
- Center of Guangdong Mental Health, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Huigen Huang
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Wijkander M, Farrants K, Magnusson Hanson LL. Exposure to work-related violence and/or threats of violence as a predictor of certified sickness absence due to mental disorders: a prospective cohort study of 16,339 Swedish men and women in paid work. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:225-236. [PMID: 36070001 PMCID: PMC9905169 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01917-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate if exposure to work-related violence and/or threats of violence predict certified sickness absence due to mental disorders. METHODS Information on work-related exposure to violence and/or threats of violence were derived from the biannual Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) study 2012-2016, including individuals in paid work across Sweden and from different occupations/sectors (n = 16,339). Certified sickness absence due to mental disorders were ascertained from register data from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. Odds ratios of certified sickness absence due to mental disorders according to exposure to work-related violence were estimated using multiple logistic regression. Several potential confounding variables, such as demographic and socio-economic factors, age, sex, cohabitation, children living at home, socio-economic status, educational level, as well as other types of psychosocial work environmental factors, were adjusted for in the analyses. RESULTS In the total study sample, 9% reported exposure to violence and/or threats of violence and the prevalence of sickness absence due to mental disorders was 5%. Exposure to work-related violence and/or threats of violence was associated prospectively with certified sickness absence due to mental disorders (odds ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.17-1.82, p < 0.01). Analysis of possible interaction showed no difference in association when comparing women to men and different age groups. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to work-related violence and/or threats of violence appear to increase the odds of certified sickness absence due to mental disorders. Preventive measures aiming to lower the risk of exposure is thus of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wijkander
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Farrants
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda L Magnusson Hanson
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
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22
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Solovieva S, Undem K, Falkstedt D, Johansson G, Kristensen P, Pedersen J, Viikari-Juntura E, Leinonen T, Mehlum IS. Utilizing a Nordic Crosswalk for Occupational Coding in an Analysis on Occupation-Specific Prolonged Sickness Absence among 7 Million Employees in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15674. [PMID: 36497749 PMCID: PMC9737405 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We identified occupations with a high incidence of prolonged sickness absence (SA) in Nordic employees and explored similarities and differences between the countries. Utilizing data from national registers on 25-59-year-old wage-earners from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, we estimated the gender- and occupation-specific age-adjusted cumulative incidence of SA due to any cause, musculoskeletal diseases and mental disorders. To increase the comparability of occupations between the countries, we developed a Nordic crosswalk for occupational codes. We ranked occupational groups with the incidence of SA being statistically significantly higher than the population average of the country in question and calculated excess fractions with the employee population being the reference group. We observed considerable occupational differences in SA within and between the countries. Few occupational groups had a high incidence in all countries, particularly for mental disorders among men. In each country, manual occupations typically had a high incidence of SA due to any cause and musculoskeletal diseases, while service occupations had a high incidence due to mental disorders. Preventive measures targeted at specific occupational groups have a high potential to reduce work disability, especially due to musculoskeletal diseases. Particularly groups with excess SA in all Nordic countries could be at focus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karina Undem
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Falkstedt
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gun Johansson
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petter Kristensen
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jacob Pedersen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Taina Leinonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 0032 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ingrid Sivesind Mehlum
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), 0363 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
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Lei Z, Yan S, Jiang H, Feng J, Han S, Herath C, Shen X, Min R, Lv C, Gan Y. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Workplace Violence Against Emergency Department Nurses in China. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604912. [PMID: 35990192 PMCID: PMC9385966 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We aim to find out the prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of workplace violence (WPV) against current Chinese emergency department (ED) nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 20,136 ED nurses was conducted in 31 provinces in China between July and September 2019. Descriptive analyses were used to examine the prevalence and characteristics of WPV. Chi-square analysis and Binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify the predictors of WPV. Results: During the past 12 months, there are 79.39% of ED nurses exposed to any type of WPV, including 78.38% and 39.65% exposed to nonphysical and physical violence, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis shows that ED nurses who were male, had bachelor’s degrees, had average monthly salary between 5,001 and 12,000, worked in central China, had higher professional titles, were more experienced, arranging shift work, and had higher work stress were more likely to experience WPV. Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence of WPV against Chinese ED nurses has been revealed in this study. The characteristics and predictors of WPV remind us to take positive measures to reduce WPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihui Lei
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shijiao Yan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Heng Jiang
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jing Feng
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyang Han
- The Fourth Clinical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chulani Herath
- Department of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Xin Shen
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Min
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Gan, ; Chuanzhu Lv, ; Rui Min,
| | - Chuanzhu Lv
- Emergency Medicine Center, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Gan, ; Chuanzhu Lv, ; Rui Min,
| | - Yong Gan
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Gan, ; Chuanzhu Lv, ; Rui Min,
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Phoo NNN, Reid A. Determinants of violence towards care workers working in the home setting: A systematic review. Am J Ind Med 2022; 65:447-467. [PMID: 35352369 PMCID: PMC9314693 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Home care is a rapidly growing industry. Violence towards home care workers is common, while also likely underreported. This violence adversely affects the physical and mental health of both workers and care recipients. The current study aims to identify and appraise recent evidence on the determinants of violence towards care workers working in the home setting. Methods Six electronic databases: the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Informit, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, were systematically searched. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute manual for evidence synthesis. Results A total of 18 papers met the inclusion criteria. All were cross‐sectional surveys. The majority of studies were from the United States. The most commonly investigated associations were those between the medical history of clients, workers' apprehension of violence, worker‐client relationship, or care plans, and any form of violence or verbal abuse. Conclusion Violence was common in clients with cognitive disorders, substance abuse disorder, and limited mobility; toward workers who feared that violence might happen; toward those who had very close or very distant worker‐client relationships; and when care plans were not inclusive of clients' needs. The current review highlights a gap in evidence on determinants of violence towards care workers working in the home setting, and suggests potential areas to be addressed to reduce such violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nang Nge Nge Phoo
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Curtin University Bentley Western Australia Australia
| | - Alison Reid
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Curtin University Bentley Western Australia Australia
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Assédio moral entre trabalhadores brasileiros da atenção primária e hospitalar em saúde. ACTA PAUL ENFERM 2022. [DOI: 10.37689/acta-ape/2022ao015134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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26
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COVID-19-Related Workplace Bullying and Customer Harassment Among Healthcare Workers Over the Time of the COVID-19 Outbreak. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e300-e305. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Jaspers SØ, Raaby Andersen D, Karlsen IL, Sønderbo Andersen LP, Conway PM, Dyreborg J, Aust B. Looking beyond violence prevention climate – exploring line managers' violence preventive practices in two high-risk sectors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WORKPLACE HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/ijwhm-06-2021-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeWork-related violence is a major occupational safety and health (OSH) issue. According to the concept of violence prevention climate, managers play a pivotal role in preventing the risk of violence at work. However, research on this is scarce. The objective of this study was, therefore, to examine line managers' use of violence preventive practices in high-risk sectors.Design/methodology/approach The authors employed three different sources of data (semi-structured interviews and field notes from both leadership seminars and coaching sessions) that were collected in the context of an intervention study in Denmark aimed at improving violence prevention. The authors conducted a thematic analysis of violence prevention experiences among 16 line managers – eight from the prison and probation services and eight from psychiatric hospitals.FindingsUsing an existing prevention framework, the authors categorized the descriptions into three types of violence preventive practices used by the line managers across the two sectors: “preventing violence”, “managing episodes of violence” and “promoting the positive”. Especially the category “promoting the positive” is often neglected in the intervention literature.Originality/value The study identified new aspects of managers' violence preventive practices than those included in the violence prevention climate concept. Such knowledge may help organizations devise improved systems for violence prevention in high-risk sectors.
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28
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Blindow KJ, Paulin J, Hanson LM, Johnell K, Nyberg A. Sexual and gender harassment and use of psychotropic medication among Swedish workers: a prospective cohort study. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:507-513. [PMID: 35273073 PMCID: PMC9304105 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-108087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective To estimate the prospective association between the exposure to three types of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) and psychotropic medication. Methods Information on three measures of workplace GBVH—sexual harassment (1) from superiors or colleagues, (2) from others (eg, clients) and (3) gender harassment from superiors or colleagues—were retrieved from the biannual Swedish Work Environment Survey 2007–2013 (N=23 449), a representative sample of working 16–64 years old registered in Sweden. The survey answers were merged with data on antidepressants, hypnotics/sedatives and anxiolytics from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Cox proportional hazards analyses with days to purchase as time scale and first instance of medicine purchase as failure event were fitted, adjusted for demographic and workplace factors. Results Workers who reported exposure to gender harassment only (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.36), to sexual but not gender harassment (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.40), or to gender and sexual harassment (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.60) had an excess risk of psychotropics use in comparison to workers who reported neither of the exposures in the past 12 months. We found no interaction between the exposures and gender in the association with psychotropics use. Conclusions Exposure to sexual or gender harassment at the workplace may contribute to the development of mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johan Paulin
- Department of public health and caring sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Kristina Johnell
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Nyberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of public health and caring sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Stahl-Gugger A, Hämmig O. Prevalence and health correlates of workplace violence and discrimination against hospital employees - a cross-sectional study in German-speaking Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:291. [PMID: 35241073 PMCID: PMC8892765 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07602-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Violence and discrimination are common events at work, especially in health care. Moreover, such workplace experiences are considered to have negative impacts and particularly adverse health consequences on health care workers. Nevertheless, the problem is still highly underreported and thus largely ignored and unexplored in Switzerland as comprehensive data and studies on their prevalence and health correlates among hospital staffs and health professionals are widely missing. Methods This cross-sectional study was based on secondary data from a company survey among several public hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in German-speaking Switzerland conducted in 2015/16. The study population was limited to a subsample of 1567 health professionals among the surveyed staffs of five participating hospitals and clinics. Relative frequencies of different forms of violence and discrimination at work and the total number of such experiences were calculated for the entire study population and for occupational subgroups. These data were compared with a nationally representative subsample of the Swiss Health Survey 2017 as a reference population. Multiple logistic regression analyses were further computed to investigate the association between the number of different experienced forms of violence and/or discrimination at work and several poor general and mental health outcomes. Results 23% of the inverviewed hospital employees experienced at least one form of discrimination or violence at work in the past year, compared to 18% of the general working population. Nurses were by far the most affected occupational group regarding all forms of violence. More and particularly the most exposed and affected hospital employees with regard to experiences of violence and/or discrimination at work showed almost consistently increased frequencies and relative risks for the studied poor mental and general health outcomes. Prevalence rates and odds ratios for strong sleep disorders, strong stress feelings and increased burnout symptoms were between 3 and 4 times higher among the most exposed compared to the non-exposed group of hospital employees. Conclusions Study findings underline the importance of an active combat against violent and discriminatory behaviors in health care. Prevention strategies should particularly focus on nurses and midwives, which turned out to be the most affected and exposed group of all health professions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alenka Stahl-Gugger
- Health Directorate of the Canton of Zurich, Stampfenbachstrasse 30, 8090, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Hämmig
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute of the University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland.
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30
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Relationship between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety, separating the types of perpetrators: a cross-sectional study using data from the fourth and fifth Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS). Ann Occup Environ Med 2022; 34:e13. [PMID: 35923792 PMCID: PMC9300452 DOI: 10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Work is an inseparable element of a person’s life, and violence in the workplace has various effects on individual workers and companies. While most studies have focused on specific industries, very few studies have investigated the influence of workplace violence by co-workers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety in various occupations by differentiating the perpetrators of violence as co-workers and clients. Methods This study was conducted based on data from the 4th and 5th Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS). The experience of workplace violence was classified in terms of the perpetrator: workplace violence by co-workers and that by clients. Work-related depression and anxiety were assessed using questions about health problems related to depression and anxiety and whether the problems were related to work. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using the SPSS 26.0. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, income, subjective health status) and occupational characteristics (occupation, weekly working hours, type of employment, size of workplace, and shift work), male workers with experience of workplace violence by co-workers were found to be at a higher risk of work-related depression/anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 11.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.65–15.36). The same was confirmed for female workers (OR, 10.89; 95% CI, 7.90–15.02). Conclusions Employees who experienced workplace violence from co-workers were found to be more vulnerable to work-related depression/anxiety. Continuous contact between the victim and the perpetrator may occur, and the possibility of a secondary assault can frighten the victim. Appropriate prevention and intervention measures that focus on the perpetrators of violence are needed.
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Nyberg A, Peristera P, Toivanen S, Johansson G. Does Exposure to High Job Demands, Low Decision Authority, or Workplace Violence Mediate the Association between Employment in the Health and Social Care Industry and Register-Based Sickness Absence? A Longitudinal Study of a Swedish Cohort. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:53. [PMID: 35010313 PMCID: PMC8744622 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this paper was to investigate if job demands, decision authority, and workplace violence mediate the association between employment in the health and social care industry and register-based sickness absence. METHODS Participants from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health who responded to questionnaires in 2006-2016 (n = 3951) were included. Multilevel autoregressive cross-lagged mediation models were fitted to the data. Employment in the health and social care industry at one time point was used as the predictor variable and register-based sickness absence >14 days as the outcome variable. Self-reported levels of job demands, decision authority, and exposure to workplace violence from the first time point were used as mediating variables. RESULTS The direct path between employment in the health and social care industry and sickness absence >14 days was, while adjusting for the reverse path, 0.032, p = 0.002. The indirect effect mediated by low decision authority was 0.002, p = 0.006 and the one mediated by exposure to workplace violence was 0.008, p = 0.002. High job demands were not found to mediate the association. CONCLUSION Workplace violence and low decision authority may, to a small extent, mediate the association between employment in the health and social care industry and sickness absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nyberg
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 564, SE-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-113 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Paraskevi Peristera
- Department of Psychology, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Susanna Toivanen
- School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, P.O. Box 883, SE-721 23 Vasteras, Sweden;
| | - Gun Johansson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-113 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Stengård J, Peristera P, Johansson G, Nyberg A. The role of managerial leadership in sickness absence in health and social care: antecedent or moderator in the association between psychosocial working conditions and register-based sickness absence? A longitudinal study based on a swedish cohort. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2215. [PMID: 34863139 PMCID: PMC8642919 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of sickness absence is particularly high among employees in health and social care, where psychosocial work stressors are pertinent. Managerial leadership is known to affect sickness absence rates, but the role leadership plays in relation to sickness absence is not fully understood; that is, whether poor leadership (i) is associated with sickness absence directly, (ii) is associated with sickness absence indirectly through the establishment of poor psychosocial working conditions, or (iii) whether good leadership rather has a buffering role in the association between work stressors and sickness absence. METHODS Four biennial waves from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH, 2010-2016, N=2333) were used. Autoregressive cross-lagged analyses within a multilevel structural equation modelling (MSEM) framework were conducted to test hypotheses i)-iii), targeting managerial leadership, register-based sickness absence and psychosocial work stressors (high psychological demands, poor decision authority and exposure to workplace violence). RESULTS A direct association was found between poor leadership and sickness absence two years later, but no associations were found between leadership and the psychosocial work stressors. Finally, only in cases of poor leadership was there a statistically significant association between workplace violence and sickness absence. CONCLUSIONS Poor managerial leadership may increase the risk of sickness absence among health and social care workers in two ways: first, directly and, second, by increasing the link between workplace violence and sickness absence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Stengård
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Paraskevi Peristera
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gun Johansson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Nyberg
- Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Andersen LP, Elklit A, Pihl-Thingvad J. Work-related violence and organizational commitment among health care workers: does supervisor's support make a difference? Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:1645-1657. [PMID: 34374867 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01749-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Work-related threats and violence are major occupational hazards, with potentially serious consequences for both victims and the organization that employs them. Only a few studies have prospectively examined the mitigating effect of social support from supervisors on organizational commitment following exposure to work-related violence and threats. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at examining the effect of immediate supervisor's support on affective commitment within 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after exposure to violence and threats. METHODS After exposure to work-related violence and threats, the employees received a questionnaire within the first month and after 3, 6 and 12 months. Right after the incident, 398 employees filled out the questionnaire, and 138 employees answered the questionnaire at all four time points. Prospective associations and mean differences between groups were calculated using linear mixed models. RESULTS Employees receiving very high levels of social support from supervisors immediately after being exposed to work-related violence or threats had a significantly higher level of organizational commitment across all four time points when compared to the group experiencing middle/low levels of support. Furthermore, at 1- and 3-month follow-up employees receiving very high levels of social support from supervisors following work-related violence and threats reported significantly higher levels of commitment than did the group with high levels of social support from supervisors. CONCLUSION Organizations should enhance the availability of social support from supervisors for employees experiencing work-related violence and threats. Training of supervisors to be very much concerned about employees exposed to work-related violence may be of critical importance to both the health and work outcomes of employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Peter Andersen
- Danish Ramazzini Centre, Department of Occupational Medicine, University Research Clinic, Regional Hospital West Jutland, 7400, Herning, Denmark.
| | - Ask Elklit
- National Center of Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jesper Pihl-Thingvad
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Jakobsson J, Örmon K, Berthelsen H, Axelsson M. Workplace violence from the perspective of hospital ward managers in Sweden: A qualitative study. J Nurs Manag 2021; 30:1523-1529. [PMID: 34273122 DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aims of the study are to explore workplace violence perpetrated by patients or visitors from the perspective of hospital ward managers and to describe how ward managers perceive their leadership role and manage related incidents. BACKGROUND Few studies focus on workplace violence from the perspective of ward managers even though they are the closest managers to the operational staff. METHOD Fifteen semistructured interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Four categories emerged: the face of workplace violence, a two-fold assignment, strive towards readiness to act, and managing incidents. CONCLUSION While the most common acts of workplace violence are considered less serious and related to patients' medical conditions or dissatisfied visitors, hospital organizations focus on serious but rarely occurring incidents. Consequently, ward managers have limited opportunities to ensure a safe work environment on an everyday basis. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT To support ward managers' occupational safety and health management, workplace violence prevention and management should be acknowledged as an important responsibility for senior management in hospitals. It is important to identify incidents that most likely will occur at the wards and to create strategies related to those incidents. Strategies could include risk assessments, prevention, evaluation, education and reflection combined with, for example, scenario training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Jakobsson
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.,Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Karin Örmon
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.,The Västra Götaland Region Competence Center on Intimate Partner Violence, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.,Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Malin Axelsson
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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Heming M, Xu T, Nyberg A, Magnusson Hanson LL. The relationship between onset of workplace violence and onset of sleep disturbances in the Swedish working population. J Sleep Res 2021; 30:e13307. [PMID: 33655594 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The study investigated the association between onset of workplace violence and onset of sleep disturbances. We used self-reported data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) collected in 2014, 2016, and 2018. A two-wave design was based on participants who had no exposure to workplace violence or sleep disturbances at baseline (n = 6,928). A three-wave design was based on participants who in addition were unexposed to sleep disturbances in the second wave (n = 6,150). Four items of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire were used to measure sleep disturbances and one question was used to measure the occurrence of workplace violence or threats of violence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. In the two-wave approach, onset of workplace violence was associated with onset of sleep disturbances after adjustment for sex, age, occupational position, education, and civil status (adjusted odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.96). The association was no longer statistically significant after further adjustment for night/evening work, demands, control, and social support at work. In the three-wave approach, results were only suggestive of an association between onset of workplace violence and subsequent onset of sleep disturbances after adjustment for sex, age, occupational position, education, and civil status. Onset of frequent exposure to workplace violence was associated with subsequent onset of sleep disturbances in the adjusted analyses, but these analyses were based on few individuals (13 exposed versus 5,907 unexposed). The results did not conclusively demonstrate that onset of workplace violence predicts development of sleep disturbances. Further research could elucidate the role of other working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Heming
- Stress Research Institute at Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tianwei Xu
- Stress Research Institute at Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Nyberg
- Stress Research Institute at Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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