A systematic review of longitudinal studies of nonfatal workplace violence

• Risk factors and consequences of exposure to violence at work were examinedthrough a systematic review of longitudinal studies of workplace violence.Literature in different databases was screened and the articles were selected onthe basis of a set of inclusion criteria. Sixteen studies were included into thereview and they were evaluated according to a number of criteriarecommended for use in systematic reviews. Of the reviewed studies, 12 metmore than half of the evaluation criteria. The studies identified individual,situational, and structural risk factors of workplace violence. Five studiesdemonstrated that being subjected to violence at work have both acute andlong-term consequences for the exposed staff and the workplace. Two studiesalso found symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in victims. In view ofthe detrimental effects of violence, it is important that preventive measures aretaken and evaluated in future longitudinal studies.

Keyword

Violence

work

risk factors

consequences

Publication and Content Type

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