Workplace Violence in Chinese Hospitals: The Effects of Healthcare Disturbance on the Psychological Well-Being of Chinese Healthcare Workers

Tang, Nan; Thomson, Louise E.

Abstract

Healthcare disturbance is a form of workplace violence against healthcare workers perpetrated by patients, their relatives, and gangs hired by them. It is a prevalent phenomenon in China, where evidence suggests that it impacts on the job satisfaction of healthcare workers. This study aims to examine the relationship between healthcare disturbance, surface acting as a response to emotional labour, and depressive symptoms in Chinese healthcare workers. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and used an online survey methodology. Data were collected from 418 doctors and nurses from one hospital in China. The results showed that frequency of healthcare disturbance was positively related to surface acting and depressive symptoms, respectively; surface acting was also positively related to depression, while deep acting showed no effect on symptoms of depression. Furthermore, surface acting in response to emotional labour mediated the relationship between healthcare disturbance and depressive symptoms. The results highlight the importance of preventing healthcare disturbance and of training healthcare staff in strategies for managing emotional demands in reducing depressive symptoms in Chinese healthcare staff.

Citation

Tang, N., & Thomson, L. E. (2019). Workplace Violence in Chinese Hospitals: The Effects of Healthcare Disturbance on the Psychological Well-Being of Chinese Healthcare Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193687

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 28, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 3, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 3, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 19
• Article Number: 3687
• Pages: 1-14
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193687
• Keywords: workplace violence; healthcare disturbance; emotional labour; psychological well-being
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2723584
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/19/3687