Predictors of depressive symptoms among psychiatric nurses who suffered from workplace violence

Aims We examined the possible factors that contributed to or prevented developing depressive symptoms among psychiatric nurses who suffered from workplace violence under Hill's ABC-X Model. Background Workplace violence-related depressive symptoms are some of the major causes leading to impaired quality of life of victims and a heavy burden on society. Design This is a cross-sectional and correlational study. Method All participants were recruited from psychiatric wards of six hospitals in Taiwan. The data were collected through structured questionnaires from October 2013–March 2014 and a total of 278 psychiatric wards nurses participated in this study and completed all questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationships among types and severity of violence, social support and depressive symptoms. Results Of assaulted psychiatric ward nurses, 75.9% had depressive symptoms and those with higher family support had significantly lower depressive symptoms. Conclusions Family support plays the most important role among assaulted psychiatric ward nurses as a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms in this study.