title: Patient Violence Towards Counselors in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Prevalence, Predictors, and Responses.
abstract: Workplace violence disproportionately impacts healthcare and social service providers. Given that substance use and abuse are documented risk factors for the perpetration of violence, SUD treatment personnel are at risk for patient-initiated violence. However, little research has addressed SUD treatment settings. Using data nationally representative of the U. S., the present study explores SUD counselors' experiences of violent behaviors perpetrated by patients. More than half (53%) of counselors personally experienced violence, 44% witnessed violence, and 61% had knowledge of violence directed at a colleague. Counselors reported that exposure to violence led to an increased concern for personal safety (29%), impacted their treatment of patients (15%), and impaired job performance (12%). In terms of organizational responses to patient violence, 70% of organizations increased training on de-escalation of violent situations, and 58% increased security measures. Exposure to verbal assault was associated with age, minority, tenure, recovery status, 12-step philosophy, training in MI/MET, and higher caseloads of patients with co-occurring disorders. Exposure to physical threats was associated with age gender, minority, tenure, recovery status, and higher caseloads of patients with co-occurring disorders. Exposure to physical assault was associated with age, gender, and sample. Implications of these findings for organizations and individuals are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: bbride@gsu.edu.
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Bride
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Y Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Ilana W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Olin
authors.affiliation: Owens Institute for Behavioral Research, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Department of Sociology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Roman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D064450:Workplace Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Counselors; Physical assault; Physical threat; Verbal assault; Violence