Citation

Dement JM, Lipscomb HJ, Schoenfisch AJ, Pompeii LA. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2014; 57(6): 627-639.

Affiliation

Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22306

PMID

24526348

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While violence can adversely affect mental health of victims, repercussions of violence against workers is not as well characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We explored relationships between workplace violent events perpetrated by patients or visitors (Type II) against hospital employees and the employee use of psychotropic medications or mental health services using a data system that linked violent events with health claims. RESULTS: Significant associations were observed between reported Type II workplace violent events and employee prescription claims for anti-depressants and anxiolytics combined (RR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.01-2.33) and anti-depressants alone (RR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.10-2.48). No significant association between reported violent events and health claims for treatment of depression or anxiety was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Type II violence experienced by hospital workers may lead to increased use of psychotropic drugs, particularly anti-depressants but also anxiolytics. Our results suggest an important role of employee assistance programs in mitigating the psychological consequences of workplace violent events. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en