A gender-based incidence study of workplace violence in psychiatric and forensic settings

Mary A. Hatch-Maillette, Mario J. Scalora, Shannon M. Bader, Brian H. Bornstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Limited data exist analyzing the role of gender in workplace violence in health care settings. This study examined whether different types of threatening incidents with patients (physical, verbal, sexual, or posturing) were salient to male versus female staff across psychiatric settings (inpatient forensic, inpatient acute/chronic psychiatric, and outpatient psychiatric). Results indicated that although women disproportionately experienced sexualized threats, they were not more likely to report such incidents as salient and threatening. The study also assessed the extent to which situational variables contributed to staff's feelings of threat. Results showed that rapport with the patient, quality of relationships with coworkers, and presence of coworkers in the area were not significantly related to how threatened staff felt in a recent threatening incident. Findings are discussed within the context of staff training and organizational benefits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)449-462
Number of pages14
JournalViolence and victims
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gender
  • Perception
  • Threat
  • Workplace violence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Health(social science)
  • Law

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