Nursing and aggression in the workplace: a systematic review
Karen-leigh Edward1, Karen Ousey, Philip Warelow
1Associate Professor of Nursing Research, Faculty of Health Science, Australian Catholic University and Director, Nursing Research Unit, St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne, Australia.
British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
|July 22, 2014
Summary
Workplace aggression against nurses, whether verbal or physical, negatively impacts their mental health. This systematic review identifies aggression types, at-risk nurses, and coping strategies, highlighting the need for support.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Workplace aggression against nurses has severe consequences for staff, patients, and healthcare organizations.
- Existing research lacks a comprehensive review identifying aggression types, at-risk populations, and coping mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review occupational anxiety in nurses resulting from workplace aggression.
- To identify patterns of aggression, high-risk nursing roles, and effective coping strategies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of literature was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases.
- 1543 titles and abstracts were initially identified, with 137 full papers selected for analysis after screening.
Main Results:
- Physical aggression is most prevalent in mental health, nursing homes, and emergency departments.
- Verbal aggression is more common among general nurses.
- Nurses experiencing verbal or physical abuse frequently suffer negative psychological effects.
Conclusions:
- Workplace aggression poses significant risks to nurses' psychological well-being.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address specific types of aggression and support at-risk nursing staff.
- Further research into effective coping strategies for nurses experiencing workplace violence is warranted.
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