A cross–sectional study on the prevalence and associated risk factors for workplace violence against Chinese nurses

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of the present study was to explore the characteristics of workplace violence that Chinese nurses at tertiary and county–level hospitals encountered in the 12 months from December 2014 to January 2016, to identify and analyse risk factors for workplace violence, and to establish the basis for future preventive strategies.DesignA cross–sectional study.SettingA total of 44 tertiary hospitals and 90 county–level hospitals in 16 provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions) in China.MethodsWe used stratified random sampling to collect data from December 2014 to January 2016. We distributed 21 360 questionnaires, and 15 970 participants provided valid data (effective response rate=74.77%). We conducted binary logistic regression analyses on the risk factors for workplace violence among the nurses in our sample and analysed the reasons for aggression.ResultsThe prevalence of workplace violence was 65.8%; of this, 64.9% was verbal violence, and physical violence and sexual harassment accounted for 11.8% and 3.9%, respectively. Frequent workplace violence occurred primarily in emergency and paediatric departments. Respondents reported that patients’ relatives were the main perpetrators in tertiary and county–level hospitals. Logistic regression analysis showed that respondents’ age, department, years of experience and direct contact with patients were common risk factors at different levels of hospitals.ConclusionsWorkplace violence is frequent in China’s tertiary and county–level hospitals; its occurrence is especially frequent in the emergency and paediatric departments. It is necessary to cope with workplace violence by developing effective control strategies at individual, hospital and national levels.

Violence Against Health Care Workers in Emergency Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt

“…In our study about one third of nurses responded to physical violence by calling Police (33.7%), other third reacted by asking for help from other colleagues (31.7%) and by self-defense (30.8%) ( Table 3) . In contrary to response of nurses in other studies where more than 60% of the victims responded with tolerance, patience and understanding (Alameddine et al,2011 andLei et al, 2017). The difference in the reaction between our study and other studies may be attributed to lack of work experience and stress management programs on communication skills and how to absorb stress of patients and their relatives.…”

Violence Against Health Care Workers in Emergency Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt

“…In our study about one third of nurses responded to physical violence by calling Police (33.7%), other third reacted by asking for help from other colleagues (31.7%) and by self-defense (30.8%) ( Table 3) . In contrary to response of nurses in other studies where more than 60% of the victims responded with tolerance, patience and understanding (Alameddine et al,2011 andLei et al, 2017). The difference in the reaction between our study and other studies may be attributed to lack of work experience and stress management programs on communication skills and how to absorb stress of patients and their relatives.…”

Magnitude of workplace violence and associated factors among healthcare professionals in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Hence, the assignments of healthcare professionals to each ward should include individuals of all age groups [ 40 ]. This finding is consistent with the findings of other studies [ 15 , 18 , 37 , 47 , 69 , 70 ]. This might be because younger healthcare professionals lack the experience and skills needed to handle and resolve disputes with healthcare service seekers [ 44 ].…”

“…Likewise, this study revealed that healthcare professionals with less work experience were more likely to encounter workplace violence than those with work experience. This finding is congruent with results of previous studies [ 15 , 69 , 75 ]. This could be attributed to the fact that new employees may possess theoretical knowledge but lack the practical skills required for certain tasks [ 76 ].…”

“…Therefore, it is imperative to give special attention to security and foster a conducive working environment in the emergency department [ 67 , 68 ]. The result of this study is in line with findings of previous studies [ 15 , 69 – 72 ]. This could be due to the high patient flow in emergency department, which result in unmet needs among healthcare consumers [ 73 ].…”

The impact of workplace violence on job satisfaction, job burnout, and turnover intention: the mediating role of social support

“…Research showed that for physicians who have experienced WPV on a frequent basis, job satisfaction is lower, job burnout is higher, and some physicians even leave their job, which may cause a shortage in hospital physicians. These findings are consistent with previous research results [2, 23, 26, 28]. WPV causes doctors to be in an unhealthy environment, which may lead to a marked decline in their enthusiasm.…”

Violence Against Health Care Workers in Emergency Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt

“…In our study about one third of nurses responded to physical violence by calling Police (33.7%), other third reacted by asking for help from other colleagues (31.7%) and by self-defense (30.8%) ( Table 3) . In contrary to response of nurses in other studies where more than 60% of the victims responded with tolerance, patience and understanding (Alameddine et al,2011 andLei et al, 2017). The difference in the reaction between our study and other studies may be attributed to lack of work experience and stress management programs on communication skills and how to absorb stress of patients and their relatives.…”

Magnitude of workplace violence and associated factors among healthcare professionals in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Hence, the assignments of healthcare professionals to each ward should include individuals of all age groups [ 40 ]. This finding is consistent with the findings of other studies [ 15 , 18 , 37 , 47 , 69 , 70 ]. This might be because younger healthcare professionals lack the experience and skills needed to handle and resolve disputes with healthcare service seekers [ 44 ].…”

“…Likewise, this study revealed that healthcare professionals with less work experience were more likely to encounter workplace violence than those with work experience. This finding is congruent with results of previous studies [ 15 , 69 , 75 ]. This could be attributed to the fact that new employees may possess theoretical knowledge but lack the practical skills required for certain tasks [ 76 ].…”

“…Therefore, it is imperative to give special attention to security and foster a conducive working environment in the emergency department [ 67 , 68 ]. The result of this study is in line with findings of previous studies [ 15 , 69 – 72 ]. This could be due to the high patient flow in emergency department, which result in unmet needs among healthcare consumers [ 73 ].…”

The impact of workplace violence on job satisfaction, job burnout, and turnover intention: the mediating role of social support

“…Research showed that for physicians who have experienced WPV on a frequent basis, job satisfaction is lower, job burnout is higher, and some physicians even leave their job, which may cause a shortage in hospital physicians. These findings are consistent with previous research results [2, 23, 26, 28]. WPV causes doctors to be in an unhealthy environment, which may lead to a marked decline in their enthusiasm.…”

Violence Against Health Care Workers in Emergency Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt

“…In our study about one third of nurses responded to physical violence by calling Police (33.7%), other third reacted by asking for help from other colleagues (31.7%) and by self-defense (30.8%) ( Table 3) . In contrary to response of nurses in other studies where more than 60% of the victims responded with tolerance, patience and understanding (Alameddine et al,2011 andLei et al, 2017). The difference in the reaction between our study and other studies may be attributed to lack of work experience and stress management programs on communication skills and how to absorb stress of patients and their relatives.…”

Magnitude of workplace violence and associated factors among healthcare professionals in East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Hence, the assignments of healthcare professionals to each ward should include individuals of all age groups [ 40 ]. This finding is consistent with the findings of other studies [ 15 , 18 , 37 , 47 , 69 , 70 ]. This might be because younger healthcare professionals lack the experience and skills needed to handle and resolve disputes with healthcare service seekers [ 44 ].…”

“…Likewise, this study revealed that healthcare professionals with less work experience were more likely to encounter workplace violence than those with work experience. This finding is congruent with results of previous studies [ 15 , 69 , 75 ]. This could be attributed to the fact that new employees may possess theoretical knowledge but lack the practical skills required for certain tasks [ 76 ].…”

“…Therefore, it is imperative to give special attention to security and foster a conducive working environment in the emergency department [ 67 , 68 ]. The result of this study is in line with findings of previous studies [ 15 , 69 – 72 ]. This could be due to the high patient flow in emergency department, which result in unmet needs among healthcare consumers [ 73 ].…”

The impact of workplace violence on job satisfaction, job burnout, and turnover intention: the mediating role of social support

“…Research showed that for physicians who have experienced WPV on a frequent basis, job satisfaction is lower, job burnout is higher, and some physicians even leave their job, which may cause a shortage in hospital physicians. These findings are consistent with previous research results [2, 23, 26, 28]. WPV causes doctors to be in an unhealthy environment, which may lead to a marked decline in their enthusiasm.…”