Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Psychology and Social Science
RAS ID
14667
Abstract
Reception and administrative employees may be particularly vulnerable to patient aggression in mental health services. This study examined whether satisfaction with social support and primary aggression training moderated the effects of perceived aggression on psychological distress and somatic symptoms in a sample of 101 employees. The biophysical model of threat and challenge, the stressor-stress-strain model, and the stress-buffering hypothesis served as theoretical frameworks. Results showed perceived aggression correlated positively with psychological distress, but not with somatic symptoms. Significant interactions were found for social support (buffering effect) and training (interaction effect) for somatic symptoms, but not for psychological distress. It is suggested that, for somatic symptoms, the moderation effects of social support and training on perceived aggression involve similar mechanisms (increased knowledge, self-esteem, perceived control, coping capacity). These findings provide support for the benefits of staff training and the incorporation of knowledge-based components in training programs.
DOI
10.1017/orp.2012.4
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
This article has been published in a revised form as: Brown, V., Loh, M., & Marsh, N. (2012). Moderators of workplace aggression: The influences of social support and training. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Organisational Psychology, 5(1), 32-42. . This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Journal of Organisational Psychology. Available here