Work

Factors Associated with Workplace Psychological Violence Among Operating Room Professionals

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction Violence in the hospital setting is a growing problem worldwide. Given its serious and relevant consequences, many major international organizations rank it among the top global public health priorities. Objectives To identify factors associated with psychological workplace violence among operating room professionals in Sousse. Methods This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among operating room professionals at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse over a three-month period (January, February, and March 2025). Data were collected using a simple questionnaire. French version of the LIPT (Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror) questionnaire (14 items) was used to assess psychological violence. Results The study population consisted predominantly of female healthcare workers (65%), with a mean age of 42.4 ± 5.6 years. Over half of the participants (52%) reported having experienced psychological violence in the workplace during the past 12 months. When assessed according to LPT, 57% of respondents met the criteria for exposure to psychological violence.The most frequently cited contributing factors to psychological violence were: excessive workload (reported by 83% of participants), lack of managerial support (65%), and poor intra-team communication (49%). However, no statistically significant associations were found between these factors and exposure to psychological violence in this sample. Regarding perceived impact, 53% of healthcare workers indicated that psychological violence negatively affected the quality of their professional performance. Conclusions Psychological violence is prevalent among operating room staff in Tunisian hospitals. Addressing it requires targeted research and a multidisciplinary approach to build safer, more respectful workplaces. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Source: European Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2026.11320