Affiliations: Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of
Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Nephrology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Maria Carla Tabanelli, Section of
Occupational Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via P. Palagi 9, 40138
Bologna, Italy. Tel.: +39 051 6362754; Fax: +39 051 6362609; E-mail:
mariacarla.tabanelli@unibo.it
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Robbery in workplaces represents a potentially
traumatic experience for workers. OBJECTIVES: This article describes the set up and evaluation of a comprehensive psychological intervention designed to
help to reduce the adverse consequences of bank robberies. PARTICIPANTS: The study population was selected among the employees of two Italian banks. METHODS: The psychological protocol was designed according to the results
of a comprehensive non-systematic review of the scientific literature and it
was evaluated at work site. RESULTS: The protocol consists of a
"pre-event" formative intervention and "post-event" psychological support.
The qualitative data collected allowed us to understand that the reactions
after a robbery can differ depending on the phase during which the workers were
exposed to the robbery. We noted that the main consequences can be classified
in emotional/sentimental reactions, behavioral reactions, physiological
reactions and experiences during the event; emotions/feelings following the
robbery and psycho/physical state and emotions/feelings in the following days. CONCLUSIONS: In a working environment, the chance to take advantage of a
specific protocol for the traumatic event of a bank robbery offers both the
company and the workers important tools for well-being, including post-robbery
psychological support and classroom instructions.
