Associations of workplace violence and psychological capital with depressive symptoms and burn-out among doctors in Liaoning, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to (1) Identify the prevalence of workplace violence among doctors in Liaoning, China. (2) Examine the relationships between workplace violence and psychological capital with depressive symptoms and burn-out in Chinese doctors.DesignA quantitative, cross-sectional study.SettingEight hospitals in Liaoning Province were surveyed using a self-reported questionnaire.ParticipantsThe study population comprised 1800 doctors. Ultimately 1392 doctors completed valid questionnaires with a response rate of 77.3%.ResultsThe prevalence of workplace violence was 77.5%. Compared with other types of workplace violence, the prevalence of psychological aggression was the highest (72.7%). Workplace violence (depressive symptoms: β[95% CI]=0.11 [0.06, 0.16]; emotional exhaustion: β[95% CI]=0.18 [0.13, 0.23]; depersonalisation: β[95% CI]=0.17 [0.12, 0.22]) and psychological capital (depressive symptoms: β[95% CI]=−0.32 [−0.37, –0.27]; emotional exhaustion: β[95% CI]=−0.23 [−0.28, –0.18]; depersonalisation: β[95% CI]=−0.23 [−0.28, –0.18]) were associated with depressive symptoms and burn-out. Workplace violence increased the level of depressive symptoms and burn-out by damaging psychological capital (depressive symptoms: a*b=1.61, bias-corrected and accelerated [BCa] 95% CI 1.08 to 2.25; emotional exhaustion: a*b=1.29, BCa 95% CI 0.86 to 1.83; depersonalisation: a*b=0.70, BCa 95% CI 0.45 to 1.00).ConclusionsIn China, most doctors will be exposed to workplace violence, especially psychological aggression. A safer work environment and psychological capital development may be considered in prevention and treatment strategies for improving mental health.

Estratégias de enfrentamento, medidas preventivas e de controle da violência laboral em atenção primária à saúde

“…A falta de clareza gera violência, enquanto que a criação de vínculo contribui para o estabelecimento de um bom relacionamento entre profissionais e usuários (Sui, Liu, Jia, Wang & Yang, 2019).…”

“…Os profissionais sinalizam para a necessidade de investimentos também no quantitativo de pessoal como medida preventiva, justificando que trabalham muitas vezes aquém do necessário e com uma população muito maior, permanecendo mais cansados e não conseguindo esgotar a demanda diária de atendimentos, causando estresse nos usuários e podendo gerar situações de violência. Estudo mostrou que a violência pode aumentar ainda mais o esgotamento desses profissionais (Sui, et al 2019). Diante dessa questão ressalta-se a falta de estudos que relacionem a violência com a escassez de profissionais e a sobrecarga de trabalho.…”

The prevalence and stressors of job burnout among medical staff in Liaoning, China: a cross-section study

“…Tension relationship between patients and medical staff cause popular dissatisfaction and mistrust between them. Due to the dissatisfaction of patient, Chinese medical staff suffered with high prevalence of workplace violence [ 28 ]. A meta-analysis showed that the overall prevalence of workplace violence for Chinese health-care professionals was 62.4% [ 29 ].…”

The Prevalence and Stressors of Job Burnout Among Medical Staff in Liaoning, China: a Cross-section Study

“…It also caused dissatisfaction and mistrust between patients and medical staff. Due to the dissatisfaction of patient, Chinese medical staff suffered with high prevalence of workplace violence [28]. A meta-analysis for Chinese doctors showed that the prevalence of workplace violence was 61.1% [29].…”

“…In the other side, distrust from patients also causes defensive medical practice due to fear of malpractice [30]. Both workplace violence and fear of malpractice are related to burnout [28,31]. By combining workplace violence and fear of malpractice in one study, the stress from the relationship with patient would be better explained.…”