What is it about?

We reviewed all the studies we could find on workplace and worker characteristics that increase the likelihood or severity of PTSD in nursing staff who work on psychiatric units. We found only weak evidence for most risk factors. However, there is promising evidence that experiencing severe or injurious assault, and cumulative exposure to aggression, increase the risk of PTSD symptoms.

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Why is it important?

We found some promising evidence for some preventable risk factors. Violence prevention and mental health care for exposed nurses appear the most promising targets for PTSD prevention.

Perspectives

This is another new study in the Trauma among Psychiatric Workers project and adds to the growing evidence about the cumulative effects of violence and the need for psychotherapy for staff with PTSD symptoms. Please remember that most people with mental disorders are not violent and they live productive lives in the community. Those who need a stay in a psychiatric unit can have some challenging behaviors, including violence, that can affect the mental health of the nurses who care for them.

Dr N Zoe Hilton
University of Toronto

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Workplace violence and risk factors for PTSD among psychiatric nurses: Systematic review and directions for future research and practice, Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, July 2021, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12781.
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