Well-Being and Functioning at Work Following Thefts and Robberies: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Thefts and robberies may be traumatizing experiences for employees. The aim of this study is to explore to what extent experiencing robberies and/or thefts at work affect workers' mental health, coping-self-efficacy, social support seeking, workload and job satisfaction. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, this research contributes to our understanding of the psychological sequelae of robbery and theft for employees working in small businesses. The few studies on the effects of robberies and thefts in the past have predominantly focused on bank employees. A sample of Italian tobacconists and jewelers completed an anonymous self-report questionnaire examining the experience of robbery and/or theft, social support seeking (Coping Orientation to Problem Experienced scale, COPE-IV), psycho-somatic well-being (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-12), job satisfaction (a single item). Victims of thefts and/or robberies reported their PTSD symptoms (Impact of Event- Revised 6, IES-R-6) and trauma-related coping self-efficacy (Coping Self-Efficacy scale, CSE-7), based on the last event (N = 319). Descriptive analyses, ANOVA, ANCOVA and multiple regressions analyses have been carried out. The results indicated that victims of thefts and robberies experienced greater workload, higher psycho-physical complaints and greater tendency to seek social support in comparison with their non-affected counterparts. They additionally experienced more post-traumatic symptomatology and perceived lower coping self-efficacy, when compared to those who experienced thefts “only.” Multiple regression analyses revealed that CSE was positively related to job satisfaction, although the presence of psycho-physical symptoms was the main predictor of job satisfaction among both non-affected and affected employees. PTSD was not an independent predictor of job satisfaction. In sum, robberies and/or thefts exposure undermines differently workers' well-being.

The Role of Service Providers’ Resilience in Buffering the Negative Impact of Customer Incivility on Service Recovery Performance

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“…Indeed, exposure to more than one robbery increases the rates of PTSD 15,16) . Other recognized risk factors, to which our patient was exposed, are proximity to the robber and the presence of weapons 17,18) .…”

Amid Armed Conflict: Perceptions and the Psychological Impact of Covid-19 in Western Libya

“…Studies of trauma exposure show coping self-efficacy (CSE) is an important personal resource to protect individuals from psychological distress and is positively associated with psychological wellbeing (Setti, et al, 2018). Coping self-efficacy is an individual's perceived ability to effectively manage both their personal functioning and external recovery demands in the aftermath of a traumatic event (Benight & Bandura, 2004).…”