Risk factors for assaults on nursing staff: childhood abuse and education level.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined risk factors for nursing staff associated with being assaulted in the workplace and described the prevalence of staff assaults on patients.


BACKGROUND
Most studies examining assaults in the workplace examine patient variables. Scant empirical investigation has occurred of staff variables.


METHODS
A random mailed survey measuring physical and psychological assaults, sexual assault, and trauma history was employed. Childhood abuse and education were unique predictors of physical and sexual assault by patients. The results also revealed that staff members sometimes abuse patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These results can help inform the training and supervision of nursing staff. Strategies to decrease staff vulnerability of being assaulted may reduce the risk. The finding that education also may be a protective factor has important implications for trends in managed care to downsize nursing. Protecting patients and staff are important administrative priorities in the workplace.
Little
L
L
Department of Nursing, School of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA. llittle@hopper.unh.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009513:New Hampshire; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology