Workplace aggression against healthcare workers, law officials and bus drivers: prevalence, perceptions and psychological consequences

• In Event: Rare Homicide Types

Abstract

Objective: Investigations into workplace aggression (WPA) remain opportunistic and largely occupation specific. Consequently, labour organizations develop and disseminate generic strategies. In order to optimize the impact of these prevention programs, it is pivotal to tailor prevention and supportive efforts to the specificity of each occupation. The aim of this study was to compare WPA as experienced by law officials, healthcare workers and bus drivers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was completed by 1809 workers in the province of Quebec, Canada. Polynomial regression was used to test associations.

Results: Between 68.6% and 79.1% of workers had experienced or witnessed WPA in the last 12 months. Healthcare workers were more likely to witness WPA while bus drivers were more likely to be verbally abused and law officials to receive of death threats. Bus drivers were less likely to normalize WPA but they and healthcare workers also perceived greater stigma attached to reporting. Bus drivers were more likely to experience flashbacks and nightmares while healthcare workers were at greater risk of developing hypervigilance.

Conclusion: Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programs should be tailored according to these differences in order to offer a better-informed support and organizational response to WPA.

Authors

• Steve Geoffrion, Université de Montréal

• Jane Goncalves, Montreal Mental Health Institute

• Charles-Édouard Giguère, Montreal Mental Health Institute

• Stéphane Guay, Université de Montréal