Workplace violence and fear of violence: an assessment of prevalence across industrial sectors and its mental health effects

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to (i) examine variance in the prevalence of workplace violence and fear of violence in the United Kingdom by industrial sector and (ii) determine the mental health effects thereof using longitudinal data. Methods We used the United Kingdom Household Panel Study (UKHLS), a nationally representative survey with mental health indicators collected annually allowing us to determine common mental disorders (CMD) at baseline, one year prior and one year later. Using weighted logistic regression and lagged dependent variable regression, we examined prevalence of violence and fear of violence by sector and the effect of violence on CMD risk. We supplemented our analyses with the views of those with lived experience. Results Workers employed in public administration and facilities had the highest risks of workplace violence, with predicted probabilities (PP) of 0.138 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.116–0.160], and these were not statistically different from the second highest sector of health, residential care, and social work (PP 0.118, 95% CI 0.103–0.133). Workplace violence increased CMD risk [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) 1.400, 95% CI 1.182–1.658] as did fear of violence at work (ORadj 2.103, 95% CI 1.779–2.487), adjusting for prior CMD. Moreover, the effect of violence and fear of violence on CMD remained when we investigated CMD one year later. Conclusions A high prevalence of workplace violence and fear of workplace violence was found in multiple different industrial sectors – >1 in 10 workers were exposed to violence in the last 12 months in 30% of sectors and >1 in 20 workers were exposed in 70% of sectors. Both violence and fear of violence were associated with enhanced CMD risk at baseline and one year later.