Workplace violence in social care settings: traumatic stress and burnout in staff

Authors

Dowling, Daniel
Banka, Prakashini

Issue Date

2019

Degree

Publisher

DBS Library Press

Rights

Items in eSource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between frequency of exposure to physical violence/aggression and traumatic stress and burnout in social care workers (SCWs). One hundred SCWs were surveyed using non-experimental, cross-sectional, quantitative correlational study design with three questionnaires: Demographic Questionnaire, Revised Impact of Events Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Responses were analysed using SPSS quantitative software and utilised descriptive statistics, and non-parametric correlational tests. Results indicated statistically significant positive relationships between the frequency of exposure to physical aggression/violence and traumatic stress and burnout measures. Results also indicated significant positive correlations between traumatic stress and burnout. Furthermore, exposure to workplace violence/aggression, traumatic stress, and burnout also positively correlated with SCWs desire to leave the profession in the next five years. Finally, results indicated a significant relationship between frequency of self-care and levels of traumatic stress and burnout subscales in SCWs.)