EXAMINING LATERAL VIOLENCE IN THE NURSING WORKFORCE

• Published in: Issues in mental health nursing Vol. 28; no. 11; pp. 1247 - 1265
• Main Authors: Stanley, Karen M., Martin, Mary M., Michel, Yvonne, Welton, John M., Nemeth, Lynne S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 01-11-2007; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Bullying; Female; Humans; Intergroup conflict; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Negative behaviour; Nursing; Nursing Staff, Hospital - psychology; Pilot Projects; Southeastern United States; Violence; Violence - prevention & control; Violence - psychology; Violence - statistics & numerical data; Work environment; Southeastern United States
• ISSN: 0161-2840; 1096-4673
• DOI: 10.1080/01612840701651470

The decision to examine the phenomenon of lateral violence within the nursing workforce of a southeastern tertiary care medical center evolved from the strong response of attendees to a nursing presentation on lateral violence. This paper describes the development and testing of the Lateral Violence in Nursing Survey. This questionnaire, designed to measure perceived incidence and severity of lateral violence, was administered online to 663 nursing staff participants. Forty-six percent of the study participants reported lateral violence as a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem, and 65% reported frequently observing lateral violence behaviors among coworkers. Education and effective leadership were found to mediate oppressive and negative behaviors, whereas ineffective leadership was found to exacerbate lateral violence.