Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

  • Volume 34
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  • Pages.13.1-13.11
  • /
  • 2022
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  • 1225-3618(pISSN)
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  • 2052-4374(eISSN)
The Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (대한직업환경의학회)
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Relationship between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety, separating the types of perpetrators: a cross-sectional study using data from the fourth and fifth Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS)

  • Na-Rae Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Sang-Woo Kim (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Jae-Han Joo (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Jae-Han Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • June-Hee Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital) ;
  • Kyung-Jae Lee (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital)
  • Received : 2022.01.11
  • Accepted : 2022.05.24
  • Published : 2022.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Work is an inseparable element of a person's life, and violence in the workplace has various effects on individual workers and companies. While most studies have focused on specific industries, very few studies have investigated the influence of workplace violence by co-workers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between workplace violence and work-related depression/anxiety in various occupations by differentiating the perpetrators of violence as co-workers and clients. Methods: This study was conducted based on data from the 4th and 5th Korean Working Conditions Surveys (KWCS). The experience of workplace violence was classified in terms of the perpetrator: workplace violence by co-workers and that by clients. Work-related depression and anxiety were assessed using questions about health problems related to depression and anxiety and whether the problems were related to work. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using the SPSS 26.0. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, income, subjective health status) and occupational characteristics (occupation, weekly working hours, type of employment, size of workplace, and shift work), male workers with experience of workplace violence by co-workers were found to be at a higher risk of work-related depression/anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 11.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.65-15.36). The same was confirmed for female workers (OR, 10.89; 95% CI, 7.90-15.02). Conclusions: Employees who experienced workplace violence from co-workers were found to be more vulnerable to work-related depression/anxiety. Continuous contact between the victim and the perpetrator may occur, and the possibility of a secondary assault can frighten the victim. Appropriate prevention and intervention measures that focus on the perpetrators of violence are needed.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The study used data from the 4th and 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS), which is open to researchers on request.

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