NCJ Number
224022
Journal
Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: 2008 Pages: 131-143
Date Published
2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Using national data, this study examined trends in workplace violence experienced by social services workers, and compared them with rates of workplace violence among similar workers.
Abstract
Findings show that the rate of workplace violence against social services workers (measured as having to miss work as a result of an assault) declined between 1995 and 1996, but increased slightly through 2002. In 2002, 18.3 out of every 10,000 social services workers missed at least 1 day of work due to an assault they experienced at work. Compared to workers in comparable fields of practice (home health care workers, nursing home workers, hospital employees, and employees in doctors’ offices), the rate of workplace violence for each of the occupational groups has declined greatly since the mid-1990s. Declines were less for social services workers, however. In 2002, the rate of workplace violence for social services workers was the highest among the groups examined. Structural and behavioral strategies provide social services workers the most protection from workplace violence. Structural strategies include creating safe office space by using comfortable seating, soothing colors, reading materials, and an element of privacy. Behavioral strategies can be used to manage potentially violent situations and to promote safety in planning visits to a client’s home. Study data were obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2005), which receives required data from employers on workplace injuries. Data on assault injuries for the years between 1995 and 2002 were obtained for five occupations: social services workers, nursing home workers, home health care workers, hospital workers, and those working in doctors’ offices. 2 figures and 19 references