BACKGROUND: Workplace violence is a real phenomenon at nursing
homes. This article studied this phenomenon in Barcelona.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine
whether type II workplace violence takes place in senior citizen residences
in Barcelona.
METHODS: To conduct this exploratory, descriptive and transversal
study, the ad hoc QViLab II Questionnaire (version 1) was administered to
professionals at senior citizen residences in Barcelona. The sample system
used was the randomly stratified conglomerate system, using the size of the
residence as the stratum to ensure the representativeness of the sample.
Sixty-seven professionals from residences in Barcelona participated in
the study.
RESULTS: The results show that 61.2% (IC 95%: 58-65%) of
the professionals believed that they have been assaulted by the residents
they cared for in the previous year. With regard to the participant
variables, we noticed a significant relationship between stress and the
belief of having been assaulted. The professionals stated that male
residents assaulted them more than females and that verbal aggression was
the most common form of aggression from both males and females, followed by
physical aggression. With regard to frequency, verbal demands were the kind
most often expressed on a daily basis.
CONCLUSIONS: Professionals from nursing homes in Barcelona
perceived workplace violence.
