Citation

Geoffrion S, Goncalves J, Marchand A, Boyer R, Marchand A, Corbière M, Guay S. Ann. Work Expo. Health 2018; 62(4): 465-474.

Affiliation

School of Criminology, Université de Montréal, succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/annweh/wxy011

PMID

29548023

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Serious violent acts (e.g. physical violence, robbery, sexual aggression and death threats) are among the most visible and notable examples of workplace violence. Although women are commonly found to be at higher risk for post-traumatic reactions following workplace violence, little is known as regards sex differences concerning the types of post-traumatic reactions and their predictors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe sex differences in the post-traumatic reactions of serious violent acts and the predictors of such reactions.

METHODS: The study was conducted among a convenience sample of 2889 French-speaking workers from Quebec, Canada by using a self-administrated survey. Linear regression modelings and post-hoc comparisons of coefficients according to the sex of the respondents were used to achieve the objective.

RESULTS: Preliminary results confirmed that while men are more exposed to violence at work, women experience a greater number of post-traumatic reactions. Women were more affected by flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance than men. The results also showed that being victimized by a male aggressor was associated with a greater number of post-traumatic reactions for women, whereas being victimized by an insider (e.g. colleague, supervisor, employee) was associated with a greater number of post-traumatic reactions for both sexes. IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the necessity to better consider sex as a potential determinant of mental health in studies on workplace violence.

Language: en