engleski

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Armed Robbery in the Workplace

Introduction: Violence in the workplace becomes a serious health problem. Anyone can become the victim of a workplace assault, but the risks are much greater in certain occupations that include straight interact with the public. Direct outcome of workplace armed assault takes the form of negative mood, cognitive distraction and severe fear, and even can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of PTSD symptoms according to DSM IV classification. Additionally we identified the occurrence of body mass variations and some specific psychosomatic disturbances (gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory, menstrual and libido problems). Methods:The sample comprised 75 employees (post office, patrol station, grocery store), who were exposed to traumatic stressor coupled with reaction to it (intense fear, helplessness or horror – DSM IV A criterion, plus at least one of the symptoms). They were assaulted once (N=55) twice (N=13) or three times (N=7). Their mean age was 37, 2 years (range:22-59y.), with the duration of sick leave period from 0, 5 to 20 months (M=3m). Additionally 16 suffered minor or mild physical injury during the assault. Results and Discussion: Out of 75 armed robbery victims (48 female and 27 male) even 31 developed full PTSD syndrome, with re-experience (B) as a dominant symptom cluster category. If the whole sample is divided in two groups according to the fact that someone was or was not physically injured during the robbery, avoidance symptoms occur more frequently in non-injured subgroup. No difference was found between those who suffered one and those who suffered two or three assaults regarding number of symptoms in B, C or D symptom clusters, nor in number of psychosomatic disturbances. This would lead to a conclusion that repetition of identical or similar stress situation would not add to the number of PTSD symptoms.

Armed robbery; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Workplace violence

nije evidentirano