The hypothetical model of association between workplace violence and occupational well-being in psychiatric outpatient settings
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Faculty of Medicine, pathology lecture hall P117, Zoom link: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/2234883177
Topic of the dissertation
The hypothetical model of association between workplace violence and occupational well-being in psychiatric outpatient settings
Doctoral candidate
Master of Health Sciences Jenni Konttila
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health management
Subject of study
Nursing science
Opponent
Docent Lauri Kuosmanen, University of Eastern Finland
Custos
Professor Helvi Kyngäs, University of Oulu
Violence in psychiatric nursing is a complex phenomenon
The results of this research indicated that violence in psychiatric outpatient settings is a complex phenomenon. Based on the results of this research, nurses face most often psychological violence from patients, but also internal violence and harassment were reported. As consequences of psychological violence, nurses reported fatigue, feelings of violated integrity, anxiety, and depression. Occupational well-being was evaluated as mainly good. Nurses were most critical of interaction between the immediate superior and gained support. Organizational values were evaluated as contradictory against nurses’ own values. The consequences of psychological violence were influenced by individual background characteristics. The violence faced, especially harassment, was related to many psychological symptoms. Working experience was related to the consequences of violence and the evaluated occupational well-being. In phase III, the developed hypothetical model was based on the results of this study, previous research, and the literature. The main concepts of the hypothetical model were background factors, violence, symptoms, and occupational well-being. Hypothetical model was based on the results of this study, previous research, and the literature. The main concepts of the hypothetical model are background factors, violence, symptoms, and occupational well-being.
Based on the results of this research, violence should be understood in healthcare organizations as a systemic phenomenon, which is influenced by several factors. In addition, organizations should pay attention to, not only physically safe, but also psychologically and socially safe working environment, because psychologically and socially unsafe working environment is a risk for occupational wellbeing. Psychologically and socially safe working environment enables high quality nursing. Every employee should have sufficient vocational competence and appropriate education to encounter violent patient. When employee encounters violence, should appropriate and individual support be offered. Managers should have sufficient competence to intervene and manage internal conflicts and internal violence at workplace. Line management should be based on open and confidential interaction and communication, and the significance of line management as enabler of occupational well-being cannot be ignored.
The results of this research based on the responses of psychiatric nurses (n = 181) working in several psychiatric outpatient units in Finland. Also, systematic literature review was conducted. A hypothetical model was developed to describe the association between workplace violence and occupational well-being and issues related to these. An instrument to assess the incidence of violence in psychiatric nursing was also developed, it can be used in further research.
Based on the results of this research, violence should be understood in healthcare organizations as a systemic phenomenon, which is influenced by several factors. In addition, organizations should pay attention to, not only physically safe, but also psychologically and socially safe working environment, because psychologically and socially unsafe working environment is a risk for occupational wellbeing. Psychologically and socially safe working environment enables high quality nursing. Every employee should have sufficient vocational competence and appropriate education to encounter violent patient. When employee encounters violence, should appropriate and individual support be offered. Managers should have sufficient competence to intervene and manage internal conflicts and internal violence at workplace. Line management should be based on open and confidential interaction and communication, and the significance of line management as enabler of occupational well-being cannot be ignored.
The results of this research based on the responses of psychiatric nurses (n = 181) working in several psychiatric outpatient units in Finland. Also, systematic literature review was conducted. A hypothetical model was developed to describe the association between workplace violence and occupational well-being and issues related to these. An instrument to assess the incidence of violence in psychiatric nursing was also developed, it can be used in further research.
Last updated: 1.3.2023