Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to examine systematically the epidemiological evidence linking work-related exposure to violence and threats thereof with risk of mental disorders and mental ill-health symptoms. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science to identify original studie...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH)
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
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| Online Access: |
https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3877
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| _version_ | 1818954266552827904 |
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| author | Laura A Rudkjoebing Ane Berger Bungum Esben Meulengracht Flachs Nanna Hurwitz Eller Marianne Borritz Birgit Aust Reiner Rugulies Naja Hulvej Rod Karin Biering Jens Peter Bonde |
| author_facet | Laura A Rudkjoebing Ane Berger Bungum Esben Meulengracht Flachs Nanna Hurwitz Eller Marianne Borritz Birgit Aust Reiner Rugulies Naja Hulvej Rod Karin Biering Jens Peter Bonde |
| author_sort | Laura A Rudkjoebing |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to examine systematically the epidemiological evidence linking work-related exposure to violence and threats thereof with risk of mental disorders and mental ill-health symptoms. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science to identify original studies that provide quantitative risk estimates. The evidence was weighted according to completeness of reporting, potential common method bias, and bias due to differential selection and drop out, selective reporting, and misclassification of exposure and outcome. RESULTS: We identified 14 cross-sectional and 10 cohort studies with eligible risk estimates, of which 4 examined depressive disorder and reported an elevated risk among the exposed [pooled relative risk (RR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–1.54, I^2=0%]. The occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, burnout and psychological distress was examined in 17 studies (pooled RR 2.33, 95% CI 3.17, I^2=42%), and 3 studies examined risk of sleep disturbance (pooled RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.37, I2=0%). In most studies, common method bias and confounding could not be ruled out with confidence and strong heterogeneity in most outcome definitions invalidate the strict interpretation of most pooled risk estimates. CONCLUSION: The reviewed studies consistently indicate associations between workplace violence and mental health problems. However, due to methodological limitations the causal associations (if any) may be stronger or weaker than the ones reported in this study. Prospective studies with independent and validated reporting of exposure and outcome and repeated follow-up with relevant intervals are highly warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T10:19:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-17d72020aa044141afeea0b5071d3835 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0355-3140 1795-990X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T10:19:26Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-17d72020aa044141afeea0b5071d38352022-12-21T19:43:57ZengNordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health (NOROSH)Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health0355-31401795-990X2020-07-0146433934910.5271/sjweh.38773877Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysisLaura A Rudkjoebing0Ane Berger BungumEsben Meulengracht FlachsNanna Hurwitz EllerMarianne BorritzBirgit AustReiner RuguliesNaja Hulvej RodKarin BieringJens Peter BondeDepartment of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark.OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to examine systematically the epidemiological evidence linking work-related exposure to violence and threats thereof with risk of mental disorders and mental ill-health symptoms. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science to identify original studies that provide quantitative risk estimates. The evidence was weighted according to completeness of reporting, potential common method bias, and bias due to differential selection and drop out, selective reporting, and misclassification of exposure and outcome. RESULTS: We identified 14 cross-sectional and 10 cohort studies with eligible risk estimates, of which 4 examined depressive disorder and reported an elevated risk among the exposed [pooled relative risk (RR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–1.54, I^2=0%]. The occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, burnout and psychological distress was examined in 17 studies (pooled RR 2.33, 95% CI 3.17, I^2=42%), and 3 studies examined risk of sleep disturbance (pooled RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.37, I2=0%). In most studies, common method bias and confounding could not be ruled out with confidence and strong heterogeneity in most outcome definitions invalidate the strict interpretation of most pooled risk estimates. CONCLUSION: The reviewed studies consistently indicate associations between workplace violence and mental health problems. However, due to methodological limitations the causal associations (if any) may be stronger or weaker than the ones reported in this study. Prospective studies with independent and validated reporting of exposure and outcome and repeated follow-up with relevant intervals are highly warranted. https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3877 violencethreatwork-related exposurereviewexposuremeta-analysisanxietydepressionworkplace violenceburnoutsystematic reviewmental disorderpsychological distresssleep disturbance |
| spellingShingle | Laura A Rudkjoebing Ane Berger Bungum Esben Meulengracht Flachs Nanna Hurwitz Eller Marianne Borritz Birgit Aust Reiner Rugulies Naja Hulvej Rod Karin Biering Jens Peter Bonde Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health violence threat work-related exposure review exposure meta-analysis anxiety depression workplace violence burnout systematic review mental disorder psychological distress sleep disturbance |
| title | Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Work-related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | work related exposure to violence or threats and risk of mental disorders and symptoms a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | violence threat work-related exposure review exposure meta-analysis anxiety depression workplace violence burnout systematic review mental disorder psychological distress sleep disturbance |
| url |
https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3877
|
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