BACKGROUND: Health care employees, especially nurses, are often
victims of workplace violence.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to study the frequency
and degree of violence against nurses and to analyze correlations between
various sources and types of violence.
METHODS: A survey was carried out using a representative sample of
nurses in Slovenia. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed
specifically for the purposes of the survey. The collected data was analyzed
using descriptive, correlational and inferential statistics.
RESULTS: A total of 692 nurses participated in the survey. Verbal
violence (n = 416) and physical violence (n = 180) were identified. The most
frequent perpetrators of verbal violence were patients (listed as a source
of violence by 39.3% of the respondents) and peers (39.6%), with the
most forceful identified as physicians and patients. Physical violence
against nurses was most often initiated by patients (20.8%) who were also
the most forceful source in this category. Nurse leaders were found to be
the most frequent and forceful sources of violence in terms of leadership
level. A positive correlation between external (patient and relatives) and
internal (physician and nurse) sources of violence was determined
CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the association between
different types and sources of violence may support the development of
action-oriented violence management. Health care organisations should limit
violence at its less severe levels and at its primary source.
