Violence and Aggression Directed toward Human Service Workers: An Exploratory Study

Shields, Glenn; Kiser, Judy

doi:10.1606/1044-3894.83

Cited by 40 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 7 publications

(6 reference statements)

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“…First, the profession involves daily interaction with voluntary and involuntary clients who are asked to discuss private, often sensitive topics (Shields & Kiser, 2003). The delivery of social services itself is risk related because it is tied to social control, for example, the authority to deny resources, usually because of lack of eligibility, may provoke aggression (Newhill, 1995).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of Client Violence Questionnaire (CVQ)

Enosh

Tzafrir

Stolovy

2014

Journal of Mixed Methods Research

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The purpose of this study was to develop, test, and validate a questionnaire for assessing social workers' exposure to client violence, which we call the Client Violence Questionnaire (CVQ). Following established procedures for scale development, four distinct stages of research were conducted, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The contribution of this study is threefold-methodological, conceptual, and practical. The instrument offers practitioners and academic researchers the opportunity to apply the scale both for internal monitoring and knowledge sharing as well as further research. The development process of the CVQ scale demonstrates how the qualitative method can serve as a distinct research stage and at the same time support and enhance the quantitative one, thus contributing to the validity and applicability of the instrument.

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Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of Client Violence Questionnaire (CVQ)

Enosh

Tzafrir

Stolovy

2014

Journal of Mixed Methods Research

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“…Research on this occupational hazard has focused on a variety of professionals, including emergency department personnel (i.e., Gates, Gillespie, Kowalenko, Succop, Sanker, & Farra, 2011; Gillespie, Bresler, Gates, & Succop, 2013; Kowalenko, Gates, Gillespie, Succop, & Mentzel, 2013), nurses (i.e., Arnetz, Arnetz, & Petterson, 1996; Crilly, Chaboyer, & Creedy, 2004), social workers (i.e, Jayaratne, Vinokur-Kaplan, Nagda, & Chess, 1996; Newhill, 1996; Ringstad, 2005; Shields, & Kiser, 2003), psychiatric staff (i.e., Chen, Hwu, Kung, Chiu, & Wang, 2008; Cunningham, Connor, Miller, & Melloni, 2003; Flannery, 2004) and child welfare workers (i.e., Horejsi, Garthwait, & Rolando, 1994; Ringstad, 2009; Shin, 2011). The prevalence of workplace violence varies across fields and settings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient Violence Towards Counselors in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Prevalence, Predictors, and Responses

Bride

Choi

Olin

et al. 2015

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

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Workplace violence disproportionately impacts healthcare and social service providers. Given that substance use and abuse are documented risk factors for the perpetration of violence, SUD treatment personnel are at risk for patient-initiated violence. However, little research has addressed SUD treatment settings. Using data nationally representative of the U. S., the present study explores SUD counselors’ experiences of violent behaviors perpetrated by patients. More than half (53%) of counselors personally experienced violence, 44% witnessed violence, and 61% had knowledge of violence directed at a colleague. Counselors reported that exposure to violence led to an increased concern for personal safety (29%), impacted their treatment of patients (15%), and impaired job performance (12%). In terms of organizational responses to patient violence, 70% of organizations increased training on de-escalation of violent situations and 58% increased security measures. Exposure to verbal assault was associated with age, minority, tenure, recovery status, 12-step philosophy, training in MI/MET, and higher caseloads of patients with co-occurring disorders. Exposure to physical threats was associated with age gender, minority, tenure, recovery status, and higher caseloads of patients with co-occurring disorders. Exposure to physical assault was associated with age, gender, and sample. Implications of these findings for organizations and individuals are discussed.

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“…For example, most research related to workplace violence in the social work field has focused on differences in the amount of client violence between rural and urban communities. Workers in urban agencies were more likely to experience threats of violence from clients or fear for their personal safety during their home visits compared to those in rural agencies (Astor et al, 1998;Jayaratne et al 2004;Shields and Kiser, 2003). Particularly for home visits, Spencer and Munch (2003) identified several main risk factors for workers during outreach interventions: worker vehicles, the community at large, access to neighborhood exit, and clients' residences.…”

Section: Individual Situational and Environmental Characteristics Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, home visits are also critical risk factors for "workplace" violence. Human service professionals, including child welfare workers, who routinely visit clients' homes frequently face unsafe working conditions during their home visits (Shields and Kiser, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Child Welfare Workers' Home Visit Risks and Safety Experiences in the USA: A Qualitative Approach

Kim¹,

Hopkins²

2017

ijrh

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Human service providers, including child welfare workers, who routinely visit clients' homes frequently face unsafe working conditions during their home visits. Although previous studies have emphasized the importance of safety issues in helping professionals, not many studies have specifically examined home visiting concerns. The purpose of this study is to explore individual, situational, and environmental characteristics that increase workers' home visit risks. Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine child welfare workers that completed a survey as part of a larger study on retention. From qualitative interviews, child welfare workers commonly experienced verbal or physical threats initiated by clients or community members. Situational and community factors were also identified with increased risk in home visits. For many, evening home visits to see children's parents usually increased the level of risk. Visiting communities with a violent reputation, receiving little support from police or community members, and a lack of community resources in risky situations posed increased risks during home visits. Overall, the current study may provide a better understanding and incentive for the further development of safety training in educational curriculums and agencies, and legislation and state guidelines that improve the safety of helping professionals.

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Violence and Aggression Directed toward Human Service Workers: An Exploratory Study

Cited by 40 publications

References 7 publications

The Development of Client Violence Questionnaire (CVQ)

The Development of Client Violence Questionnaire (CVQ)

Patient Violence Towards Counselors in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Prevalence, Predictors, and Responses

Child Welfare Workers' Home Visit Risks and Safety Experiences in the USA: A Qualitative Approach

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