Affiliations:
School of Criminology, Université de Montréal, Trauma Studies Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Centre de recherche - Pavillon Fernand Seguin, Montréal, QC, Canada
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Josianne Lamothe, School of Criminology, Université de Montréal, Trauma Studies Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Centre de recherche - Pavillon Fernand Seguin, 7331, rue Hochelaga, Montréal, QC, H1N 3R2 Canada. Tel.: +1 514 833 5346; E-mail: josianne.lamothe@umontreal.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) has been associated with turnover intentions and reduced job satisfaction, yet the mechanisms behind such associations are still nebulous. Studying the way people make sense of their work in the context of WPV could lead to a better understanding of its consequences. PURPOSE: The objective of this exploratory study is to identify key features of meaning of work (MOW) in a group of healthcare workers and explain how these features can change following an act of WPV. METHODS: Researchers recruited 15 healthcare workers (11 women – 4 men) who had previously been the victim of a serious physical or sexual assault by a patient. A phenomenological approach was used. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: MOW and relationships with others and MOW and relationship with the self. WPV might have the potential to trigger negative changes in the way some workers perceive their colleagues, their patients and their organisation. It can also interfere with their sense of self-accomplishment; all workers however, were still able to find positive meaning in ‘contribution’ and ‘autonomy’. CONCLUSION: WPV has the potential to change certain aspects of MOW that could help explain why WPV is associated with lowered job satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and higher turnover. Also, finding meaning through contribution and autonomy can be a form of resilience.
Keywords: Workplace violence, health personnel, job satisfaction, resilience, professional burnout
