An Investigation on Psychological Violence in Nurses and Their Reactions

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the factors that affect nurses' perception levels of psychological violence they face, and their counter reactions and reaction levels. 320 nurses working in Süleyman Demirel University Research and Application Hospital in July 2017 constituted the population of the study. An attempt to reach the entire population was made without performing any sample selection; however, 186 nurses agreed to participate in the study. As a result of the study, it was determined that 73% of female nurses and 79% of male nurses were exposed to psychological violence at least once. When the nurses' reactions to psychological violence and their reaction levels are evaluated; it has been observed that the most powerful reaction behaviors are “trying to find a solution by speaking face to face” and “reporting behaviors to the upper authority”. It was determined that nurses' levels of reactions against psychological violence were directly proportional to their perception levels of psychological violence, that the dimensions of sexual harassment, discrimination and humiliation had no effect on reaction levels, and that the dimension of communication obstacles increased the reaction level. It is expected that nurses with high perception levels of communication obstacles will have higher levels of reactions against psychological violence.