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Media Depictions of “Unacceptable” Workplace Violence towards Nurses

Hoyle, Louise; Smith, Emma; Mahoney, Catherine; Kyle, Richard

Authors

Louise Hoyle

Emma Smith

Richard Kyle



Abstract

Violence and aggression towards nurses are global concerns. Despite repeated research on causal factors and widespread “zero tolerance” campaigns, rates of violence and aggression have not declined. Violence and aggression towards nurses can negatively affect their health and ultimately patient care. Media reporting of violence and aggression towards nurses might shape people’s perceptions of the profession, perhaps impeding nurse recruitment and retention efforts in the face of global nursing shortages.
The purpose of this study was to determine how print media in Scotland depicted reports of violence and aggression towards nurses. We used qualitative thematic analysis of newspaper articles and online news reporting of incidents of violence and aggression towards nurses between June 1, 2006 and May 31, 2016. Searches of Nexis and BBC News Online databases returned 92 relevant newspaper articles. Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) informed presentation of results. Key themes included blame (of perpetrator or senior management), helplessness (of nurses specifically or victimization), culture (social or organizational), and prevention and reduction measures. We concluded that media coverage of violence and aggression was overwhelmingly negative and reductionist. Normalization of violence and aggression was an accepted and acceptable part of the nursing role. We conclude with recommendations for policy and call for nurse leaders to challenge this culture of acceptability, especially to support recruitment and retention of nursing staff.

Citation

Hoyle, L., Smith, E., Mahoney, C., & Kyle, R. (2018). Media Depictions of “Unacceptable” Workplace Violence towards Nurses. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154418802488

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 2, 2018
Online Publication Date Oct 18, 2018
Publication Date Oct 18, 2018
Deposit Date Sep 14, 2018
Publicly Available Date Sep 14, 2018
Journal Policy, Politics and Nursing PRactice
Print ISSN 1527-1544
Electronic ISSN 1552-7468
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154418802488
Keywords Workplace aggression, nurses, violence, media reporting,
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1299427
Contract Date Sep 14, 2018

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Copyright Statement
Hoyle, L., Smith, E., Mahoney, C., & Kyle, R. (in press). Media Depictions of “Unacceptable” Workplace Violence towards Nurses. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice. Copyright © [2018] (Sage). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications









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