Relationships between Experiencing Verbal Violence and the Emotional Responses and Coping Behaviors of Dental Hygienists

Kim, Mi Jeong; Lim, Cha Young

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between experiencing verbal violence and the emotional responses and coping behaviors of dental hygienists who worked in Jeonju between February 24 and March 18, 2017 to prepare strategies for managing verbal violence and establish a healthy working environment for dental hygienists. The following findings were obtained in this study. The dental hygienists primarily experienced verbal violence from patients and guardians (1.67 points). The most common verbal violence type was, "Someone treated me impolitely." The most common emotional response to verbal violence was "anger" (3.52 points). The coping style of most dental hygienists was problem-focused coping (3.28 points), followed by emotion-focused coping (2.75 points). Most hygienists with the problem-focused coping style stated that they resolve the problem through dialogue (3.51 points), while most hygienists with the emotion-focused coping style responded that they just ignore the situation (3.78 points). The relationship between experiencing verbal violence and the emotional responses and coping behaviors of dental hygienists showed a statistically significant positive correlation (p<0.05) with emotional responses and problem- and emotion-focused coping associated with experiencing verbal violence from dentists, patients, and guardians. These findings confirm the need to reduce verbal violence, control emotional responses after exposure to verbal violence, and use more problem-focused coping measures. Dental hygienists must develop interpersonal skills and communication techniques and promote professionalism in their workplace to protect themselves from verbal violence at work.