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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this paper by Flannery was to review literature that examined workplace violence.
METHODOLOGY:
The author reviewed literature dealing with four areas of workplace violence: corporations and industry, police and corrections, schools and colleges, and healthcare arenas. Only peer reviewed articles from 1970-1995 were explored. Along with the nature and extent of workplace violence, the author also reviewed literature dealing with interventions.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The author stated that workplace violence has increased in recent years. Weapon availability, medical illness, genetics, substance abuse, poverty, and discrimination were named as some of the factors contributing to this increase. Victims of workplace violence may develop psychological trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of the event, according to the author. The author reported that murder was the third leading cause of occupational death between 1980-1988 and that there were 6,956 occupational-related homicides in this time span. Victims were mostly male, over 35 years of age, and most often a firearm was used in the killing. Many of these killings occurred between 10:00pm and 1:00am, and half took place in Southern states. While not saying how many, the author stated that disgruntled workers were exacting harm on fellow employees, sometimes killing them. Workplace victims of assault and robbery tended to be apprehensive and withdrawn, and between 250 and 500 employee victims of either assault or robbery showed symptoms of PTSD. Man-made disasters, such as chemical leakages or explosions, also resulted in employees showing symptoms of PTSD. The author stated that interventions include pre-incident training, stress management, and employee-victim debriefing. All these methods of aftercare and intervention need empirical investigation to determine the nature and extent of their effects, according to the author.
Policing personnel experience three kinds of violence: violence directed toward the officer, violence witnessed by the officer between civilians, and violence initiated by the officer. Yearly, police shoot at about 400 civilians and about 100 officers die in the line of duty. Also, the author stated that about 70% of all officers involved in shootings leave the force within five years of the event. The author stated that unattended PTSD among officers is a grave problem. The author also stated that of the 65 deaths related to assault during the years 1967-1981, six involved prison staff. The author reported that officers are at high risk of premature death, suicide, and substance abuse. Most police and corrections organizations offer a great deal of pre-incident training, however, little empirical work has been done on stress management and debriefing for correctional and police officers.
Studies looking at the impact of homicides on students shows that anger, anxiety, and grief were on-going problems in schools where a homicide has taken place. Exposure to a homicide was found to be associated with PTSD. The author reported that one study found that of 140 sorority women, many had experienced some form of sexual coercion, including attempted rape and rape. Battery, verbal threat, and destruction of property are fairly common in schools. The author stated that these events lead to fear and demoralization in students and teachers. Pre-incident training has been studied and shown to be effective at increasing communication and negotiation skills among youth. No empirical studies of stress management techniques for students were available, according to the author. While some literature exists looking at debriefing, most were exploratory and therefore did not assess outcomes.
Healthcare service providers are at risk of being assaulted, according to the literature reviewed by the author. Homicide, hostage taking, and physical and sexual abuse are common experiences among healthcare providers. Many healthcare providers may develop PTSD symptoms after being involved with these events. Healthcare providers who have witnessed a good deal of violence can develop PTSD and experience a great deal of stress. The author stated that a good deal of research has been conducted that has tried to inform healthcare personnel about the kinds of patients that are most likely to be violent. Pre-incident training usually gives the healthcare worker some tools to effectively spot potential danger. Workers are generally taught to observe patients carefully, teach the patient alternatives ways of coping with anger, verbal deescalation techniques, training in non-violent self-defense, and learning a systematic approach to restraint. Some studies described the importance of stress management techniques, however, few have empirically assessed outcomes. The author concluded from this review that worksite violence may result in psychological trauma, that the effect of this trauma may be assessed, that empirical research on worksite violence is needed, and that administrative support is necessary in order to adequately study the incidence, correlates, and interventions of worksite violence.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Literature Review
Witnessing Violence Victim
Adult Victim
Adult Violence
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychological Victimization Effects
Witnessing Workplace Violence
Violence Effects
Public Health Services
Public Health Personnel
Justice System Personnel
Law Enforcement
Police
School Personnel
College
Business
02-02 |