Thesis
Workplace Violence and Aggression in Hospital Inpatient Settings from the Perspective of Nurses and Midwives in Regional Australia
Southern Cross University
Masters by Thesis, Southern Cross University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.325
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Abstract
Health professionals in hospital inpatient settings are exposed to workplace violence and aggression (WPVA). Nurses experience more WPVA than any other healthcare profession. Studies have explored WPVA predominately in the emergency department, mental health and aged care. This study aimed to explore WPVA in hospital inpatient settings from the perspective of nurses and midwives.
This research included an integrative review and the pilot and psychometric evaluation of a WPVA Perception Scale using a cross-sectional survey of nurses and midwives employed in hospital inpatient settings across a regional local health district. A social-ecological theoretical framework underpinned the study.
The results of the published integrative review identified that organisational culture, including accepting violence as part of the job, and the type of violence were key factors influencing reporting. Consistent messaging on policy compliance and education programs may improve the organisational culture around reporting WPVA. Educating the workforce to define and understand the nature of WPVA is also required.
The psychometric properties of the WPVA scale were examined and subjected to exploratory factor analysis producing a 13-item WPVA Perception Scale consisting of two constructs ‘leadership and support strategies’ (10 items) and ‘staff attitudes and behaviours’ (3 items).
There was no significant overall association between years of experience and nurses and midwives’ perception of WPVA. However, there was a significant association between place of work and perceptions of ‘leadership and support strategies’, ‘staff attitudes and behaviours’ and overall perception of WPVA.
This thesis identifies six key findings: 1) nurses’ and midwives’ perceptions of WPVA are indicators of safety culture; 2) nurses and midwives are frequently exposed to WPVA; 3) there is a need to develop a validated WPVA Perception Scale; 4) the WPVA Perception Scale can inform safety culture education; 5) nurses’ and midwives’ experience are not associated with vulnerability to WPVA; and 6) nurses’ and midwives’ perceptions of WPVA differ based on workplace location and role.
It is envisaged that the results of this thesis will inform a safety culture program that can be used to address WPVA in hospital inpatient settings in regional Australia. This thesis demonstrates how different approaches are required at unit/ward and hospital/organisational levels based on existing leadership and support strategies, and staff attitude and behaviour. Future research could explore WPVA in other disciplines and settings, such as metropolitan Australia, international locations and specifically in community health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs services.
Details
- Title
- Workplace Violence and Aggression in Hospital Inpatient Settings from the Perspective of Nurses and Midwives in Regional Australia
- Creators
- Vanessa Tyler
- Contributors
- Sandra Grace (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityChristina Aggar (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityFrances Mary Doran (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Masters by Thesis
- Theses
- Masters by Thesis, Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- 175
- Identifiers
- 991013153311802368
- Copyright
- © Vanessa Tyler 2023
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Resource Type
- Thesis