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Work related assaults. The impact on victims.
M J Findorff-Dennis1, P M McGovern, M Bull
1Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Summary
Workplace assaults significantly impact long-term health and quality of life, leading to job changes and chronic pain. Early employer support and mental health interventions may mitigate these negative outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Work-related assaults can have profound and lasting effects on individuals.
- Understanding the long-term consequences is crucial for effective support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the impact of work-related violence on individuals years after an assault.
- To investigate the association between injury severity and long-term outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Pilot project using a case study design.
- Interviewed 10 randomly selected subjects from 429 individuals reporting a work-related assault with wage loss.
- Assessed outcomes including pain, functioning, job changes, and depression.
Main Results:
- Injury severity (permanency rating) did not correlate with long-term impact.
- Significant negative effects on health and quality of life were observed 4 years post-assault.
- Common sequelae included chronic pain, decreased functioning, job changes, and depression.
Conclusions:
- Employer support and immediate mental health intervention are hypothesized to prevent job changes and reduce mental health issues.
- Further research is needed to validate the new hypothesis regarding preventative interventions.