Navigating the Socio Cultural Underpinnings of Workplace Violence: A Systematic Literature Review Framework

Abstract

This study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to map the relationship between sociocultural factors and workplace violence captured by past research. Workplace Violence (WPV) is a crude reality experienced in almost all sectors, particularly in healthcare, where its impact on employee well being and organisational performance is profound. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) synthesises findings from 11 peer reviewed articles to identify socio cultural factors as antecedents to workplace violence. However, no article directly depicted the relationship between sociocultural factors and WPV. The review classifies antecedents into four categories: nurse related, patient related, management/organization related, and socio cultural conditions. The Nurse related antecedents include demographic factors such as age, experience, gender, marital status, and job related challenges like communication skills, perceived injustice, and work life interference. Patient related antecedents focus on issues like alcohol intoxication, mental health problems, and unmet expectations. Management/organization related factors highlight staffing issues, workload, and lack of procedures for reporting violence. Socio cultural conditions encompass broader societal influences, including the city's culture and social habits. The review further identifies the different forms of workplace violence, including verbal, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and discusses their prevalence and characteristics within healthcare settings. The outcomes of workplace violence are severe, affecting nurses' health and careers, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, job dissatisfaction, and decreased productivity. This SLR emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive policies and interventions to mitigate workplace violence. By understanding the socio cultural underpinnings, organizations can create safer and more inclusive environments. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions that consider the unique socio cultural dynamics of different organizational contexts.