Archive

---

Med. Pr. 2003;54(4)

WORKPLACE AGGRESSION: SOURCES, FORMS, RISK GROUPS AND CONSEQUENCES (p. 361-368)

AGRESJA W MIEJSCU PRACY - ŹRÓDŁA, FORMY, GRUPY RYZYKA, KONSEKWENCJE (ss.361-368)

Agnieszka Mościcka, Dorota Merecz Z Zakładu Psychologii Pracy Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera w Łodzi

Abstract

Work-related violence becomes a growing problem for different groups of employees. Studies in the United States, Australia, Canada and UE countries provide evidence that the prevalence of violent incidents and abusive behaviors at workplace is high and widespread. Occupational exposure to violence and aggression exerts an adverse effect on well-being, health and productivity of employees. There are two major groups of sources of aggression at work: (a) customers, patients and strangers; and (b) coworkers, supervisors and subordinates. Aggression covers a wide range of behaviors, from those most violent as physical assault to those more subtler and sometimes difficult to recognize as psychological harassment. Studies conducted by various international organizations (European Commission, NIOSH, Bureau of Labor Statistics) indicate that specific professions are at a greater risk of aggression exposure (e.g., health care, education, banking). Irrespective of work done, occupational exposure to aggressionleads to negative consequences, such as mental health problems, physical illness, work inability and many others. Individual costs of experiencing violence at work affect the organization as a whole and contribute to its diminished effectiveness and productivity.

Key words

workplace aggression, violence, forms of aggression, perpetrators, aggression consequences, risk group