J Korean Acad Nurs.  2012 Feb;42(1):66-75. 10.4040/jkan.2012.42.1.66.

Violent Experiences and Coping among Home Visiting Health Care Workers in Korea

• Lee IS
• Lee KO
• Kang HS
• Park YH

• KMID: 1245159
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.1.66

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore violent experiences of home visiting health care workers in Korea.
METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 1,640 health care workers. Data collection was done between September 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
RESULTS
Of the respondents, 70.6% had experienced work-related violence. Shouting (51.9%) was the most common verbal violence, followed by verbalizing sexual remarks to the health care workers (19.0%) and touching the hands (16.5%), the most common acts relating to sexual harassment. Of the respondents who had experienced violence, 50.9% told their peers about the incidents. However, the major reasons why they did not report these incidents was due to the fact that they felt it was useless to file reports and that they expected such incidents to occur as part of their job. The majority of the respondents (86.4%) wanted education on how to deal with such violence at work.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that efforts should be made to increase awareness and to minimize violence in the workplace. Also, educational programs should be designed to improve knowledge and to prevent workplace violence.

Keyword

Violence; Home visits; Sexual harrassment; Coping behavior

MeSH Terms

*Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Home Care Services
Home Health Aides/*psychology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Sexual Harassment
*Violence
Young Adult

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