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Violence‐prevention climate, exposure to violence and aggression, and prevention behavior: A mediation model
Author(s) -
Chang ChuHsiang,
Eatough Erin M.,
Spector Paul E.,
Kessler Stacey R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of organizational behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.938
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1099-1379
pISSN - 0894-3796
DOI - 10.1002/job.776
Subject(s) - aggression , mediation , psychology , psychological intervention , structural equation modeling , stressor , workplace violence , compliance (psychology) , social psychology , moderated mediation , clinical psychology , poison control , injury prevention , developmental psychology , environmental health , medicine , psychiatry , political science , statistics , mathematics , law
Summary This study explored mechanisms underlying employees' behaviors targeted at preventing workplace physical violence and verbal aggression. Poor psychological violence‐prevention climate perceptions and previous exposure to violence and aggression represent stressors that were associated with increased strains and reduced motivation. Strains and motivation, in turn, were related to prevention behaviors. We collected data from employee and coworker dyads, and structural equation modeling results supported that clear organizational policies, prompt management responses to assaults, and putting safety as a priority contributed positively to prevention behaviors through reduced strains and increased motivation. On the other hand, prior experiences of being attacked were related to more strains and lower motivation, which were related to lower prevention compliance. Our results inform future interventions for violence prevention. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.