TY - JOUR
T1 - Workplace violence against homecare workers and its relationship with workers health outcomes
T2 - A cross-sectional study
AU - Hanson, Ginger C.
AU - Perrin, Nancy A.
AU - Moss, Helen
AU - Laharnar, Naima
AU - Glass, Nancy
N1 - Funding Information:
This research is supported by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety research grant R01 OH009080. The authors thank the members of our advisory board for all of their support including their valuable input during the development of the survey and recruitment strategies. Additional thanks to the Service Employees International Union Local 503 for providing the recruitment roster for the study. Finally, special thanks to all of the homecare workers who participated in the study and shared their time and perspective.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Hanson et al.
PY - 2015/12/12
Y1 - 2015/12/12
N2 - Background: Consumer-driven homecare models support aging and disabled individuals to live independently through the services of homecare workers. Although these models have benefits, including autonomy and control over services, little evidence exists about challenges homecare workers may face when providing services, including workplace violence and the negative outcomes associated with workplace violence. This study investigates the prevalence of workplace violence among homecare workers and examines the relationship between these experiences and homecare worker stress, burnout, depression, and sleep. Methods: We recruited female homecare workers in Oregon, the first US state to implement a consumer driven homecare model, to complete an on-line or telephone survey with peer interviewers. The survey asked about demographics and included measures to assess workplace violence, fear, stress, burnout, depression and sleep problems. Results: Homecare workers (n∈=∈1,214) reported past-year incidents of verbal aggression (50.3% of respondents), workplace aggression (26.9%), workplace violence (23.6%), sexual harassment (25.7%), and sexual aggression (12.8%). Exposure was associated with greater stress (p∈<∈.001), depression (p∈<∈.001), sleep problems (p∈<∈.001), and burnout (p∈<∈.001). Confidence in addressing workplace aggression buffered homecare workers against negative work and health outcomes. Conclusions: To ensure homecare worker safety and positive health outcomes in the provision of services, it is critical to develop and implement preventive safety training programs with policies and procedures that support homecare workers who experience harassment and violence.
AB - Background: Consumer-driven homecare models support aging and disabled individuals to live independently through the services of homecare workers. Although these models have benefits, including autonomy and control over services, little evidence exists about challenges homecare workers may face when providing services, including workplace violence and the negative outcomes associated with workplace violence. This study investigates the prevalence of workplace violence among homecare workers and examines the relationship between these experiences and homecare worker stress, burnout, depression, and sleep. Methods: We recruited female homecare workers in Oregon, the first US state to implement a consumer driven homecare model, to complete an on-line or telephone survey with peer interviewers. The survey asked about demographics and included measures to assess workplace violence, fear, stress, burnout, depression and sleep problems. Results: Homecare workers (n∈=∈1,214) reported past-year incidents of verbal aggression (50.3% of respondents), workplace aggression (26.9%), workplace violence (23.6%), sexual harassment (25.7%), and sexual aggression (12.8%). Exposure was associated with greater stress (p∈<∈.001), depression (p∈<∈.001), sleep problems (p∈<∈.001), and burnout (p∈<∈.001). Confidence in addressing workplace aggression buffered homecare workers against negative work and health outcomes. Conclusions: To ensure homecare worker safety and positive health outcomes in the provision of services, it is critical to develop and implement preventive safety training programs with policies and procedures that support homecare workers who experience harassment and violence.
KW - Burnout
KW - Homecare
KW - Sexual harassment
KW - Workplace aggression
KW - Workplace violence
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U2 - 10.1186/s12889-014-1340-7
DO - 10.1186/s12889-014-1340-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 25595487
AN - SCOPUS:84938835927
VL - 15
JO - BMC Public Health
JF - BMC Public Health
SN - 1471-2458
IS - 1
M1 - 11
ER -