Objective: Workplace violence was recognized to be social problems that might impact the health status and the job satisfaction of employee in hospitals. This study investigated the current status of violence and job stress among hospital employees working at administration and discharging department.
Methods: The study subjects were 213 administrative employees working at 20 general hospitals. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire that included information such as demographics, job-related characteristics, experience of violence and job stress. The violence classified as verbal violence, physical threat and physical violence occurred by patients and caregivers. T-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to examine the associated factors with job stress.
Results: The levels of verbal violence, physical threat and physical violence were 1.63±1.32, 0.53±0.85 and 0.04±0.23, respectively. The score of job stress was 2.74±0.50 and it was associated with age, existence of spouse, drinking frequency, subjective health status, disease history, night-time treatment, public health administration career and current job working years in simple analysis. In multiple linear regression analysis, the level of verbal violence experience was significantly associated with job stress (B=0.09, SE=0.02, p=0.001). Also physical threats (B=0.18, SE=0.04, p<0.001) and physical violence (B=0.48, SE=0.17, p=0.007) showed positive association with job stress.
Conclusion: This study attempted to examine the association between experience of violence and job stress in administrative employees at medical institutions. Levels of violence showed positive correlation with the job stress. Environment improvement to protect employee from violence and management of employees who experienced workplace violence are needed to reduce the job stress.