Work-related threats and violence in human service sectors: The importance of the psycho-social work environment examined in a multilevel prospective study

Lars Peter Andersen, Annie Høgh, Karin Biering, Charlotte Ann Gadegaard

    15 Citationer (Scopus)

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Threats and violence at work are major concerns for employees in many human service sectors. The prevention of work-related violence is a major challenge for employees and management.
    OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify prospective associations between psycho-social work environment and work-related threats and violence in four high risk human service sectors.
    METHODS: Questionnaire data was collected from 3011 employees working at psychiatric wards, in the elder sector, in the Prison and Probation Service and at Special Schools. Associations between psycho-social work environment and work-related violence and threats were then studied using a one-year follow-up design and multilevel logistic regression analyses.
    RESULTS: The analyses showed that quantitative demands, high emotional demands, low level of influence over own work-situation, low predictability, low rewards at work, low role clarity, many role conflicts, many work-family conflicts and low organizational justice had statistically significant associations with high levels of work-related threats. Furthermore, high emotional demands, low predictability, low role clarity, many role conflicts, many work-family conflicts, low supervisor quality and low support from nearest supervisor had statistically significant associations with high levels of work-related violence. Finally, across the four sectors both similar and different associations between psycho-social work environment and work-related violence and threats were found.
    CONCLUSION: The results of the study underline the importance of including the psycho-social work environment as a supplement to existing violence prevention methods and interventions aimed at reducing work-related violence and threats.
    OriginalsprogEngelsk
    TidsskriftWork: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation
    Vol/bind59
    Udgave nummer1
    Sider (fra-til)141-154
    Antal sider14
    ISSN1051-9815
    DOI
    StatusUdgivet - 1 jan. 2018

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