Influencing factors of workplace violence against nurses in Western China
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20260215
- VernacularTitle:西部地区护士遭受工作场所暴力影响因素分析
- Author:
Yeqiu HUANG
1
;
Xing CHEN
;
Yuexi WANG
;
Xuan GONG
;
Tianlan SU
;
Yu CAO
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Nurses;
Western China;
Workplace violence;
Nursing management;
Qualitative interview;
Influencing factors
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2026;53(1):92-98
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To analyze the incidence and influencing factors of workplace violence (WPV) against nurses in tertiary hospitals in Western China, and to conduct a qualitative exploration based on the lived experiences of nurses who have suffered WPV. Methods A total of 1 294 nurses from 21 tertiary hospitals across 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in western China were selected as the research subjects using a convenience sampling method. Investigation was performed among the nurses using the Hospital Workplace Violence Questionnaire and the Implementation Status of Hospital Violence Prevention Measures Questionnaire. Additionally, a total of 18 nurses who had experienced WPV were selected for semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results The overall incidence of WPV among the nurses was 47.5%, with incidences of psychological, physical, and sexual violence at 42.0%, 7.3%, and 3.5%, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that male nurses had a higher risk of experiencing WPV than female nurses (P<0.01); widowed/divorced nurses had a higher risk than unmarried nurses (P<0.05); both head nurses and department head nurses had a higher risk than general nurses (both P<0.01); and nurses with lower trust in hospitals had a higher risk than those with higher trust (P<0.01). Qualitative interviews revealed that WPV often stemmed from the accumulation of patients′ negative emotions during medical care, exacerbated by poor communication and unmet treatment expectations. Nurses tended to adopt avoidance and tolerance strategies when facing conflict, lacking effective coping skills. Following WPV incidents, nurses frequently experienced anxiety and burnout, relying mainly on self-regulation or confiding in colleagues to cope with the impact of WPV. Hospital responses to WPV are largely passive, with insufficient dedicated departments and psychological support mechanisms, indicating a need for improved institutional frameworks. Conclusion WPV among nurses in tertiary hospitals in Western China remains a serious concern. Hospital management should prioritize high-risk groups such as male and widowed/divorced nurses, and strengthen psychological support systems and standardized reporting procedures to mitigate WPV and to enhance nursing quality.
