Date of Award

3-6-2000

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Clarice Staff, D.S.W.

Second Advisor

Laura Boisen, Ph.D., LICSW

Third Advisor

Jacqueline R. Fendler, M.S.W., LICSW

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe effective interventions in helping victims and witnesses of violence in the workplace. The literature review revealed the problem of workplace violence, and the potentially negative effects this violence has on the individuals who are victims or witriesses to this trauma. Companies and organizations have enlisted the support of Employee Assistance Program counselors who are trained in Critical Incident Stress Debriefings. The goal of this type of debriefing is to help prevent the long-term negative effects of critical incidents. Questionnaires were sent to two hundred twenty Employee Assistance Professionals in the upper Midwest.

Thirty four of these questionnaires were returned completed, giving an overall usable response rate of 15 percent. Common interventions given by the respondents included encouraging the verbalization of feeling, normalizing their reactions, and identifying possible sources of future support. The data also suggests the effects a witness and victim experiences depends on what type of workplace violence occurred

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.2000.Curti.WA

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

COinS