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Workplace violence among Pennsylvania education workers: differences among occupations
Hope Tiesman1, Srinivas Konda, Scott Hendricks
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research, Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch, USA. htiesman@cdc.gov
Journal of Safety Research
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Physical and non-physical workplace violence (WPV) affects many education workers. Special education teachers face the highest risk, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs in schools.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Educational Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Workplace violence (WPV) is a significant concern in educational settings.
- Previous research has not fully characterized the prevalence of both physical and non-physical WPV among education workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of physical and non-physical workplace violence (WPV) in a state-based cohort of education workers.
- To identify specific subgroups of education workers at higher risk for WPV.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to a stratified random sample of 6,450 education workers.
- Data were collected using de-identified union membership lists for sampling.
Main Results:
- An estimated 7.8% of education workers experienced physical assault, and 28.9% experienced non-physical WPV during the 2009-2010 school year.
- Special education teachers showed significantly higher rates of both physical assault (PRR=3.6) and non-physical WPV (PRR=1.4) compared to general education teachers.
Conclusions:
- Special education teachers are disproportionately affected by both physical and non-physical WPV.
- Schools should implement comprehensive WPV prevention programs, with specific strategies to address the unique hazards faced by special education teachers.
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