Interaction entre l’effet différentiel du sexe et l’effet modérateur du soutien social perçu sur la santé mentale des travailleurs en Protection de la Jeunesse victimes de violence au travail
Background. Workplace violence is part of the people working for Youth Protection's daily lives due to the vulnerable population served. The exposure of workplace violence is linked to psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Among the factors that influence the development of the different mental health symptoms, social support is known to be one of the strongest predictors of PTSD. Most recent studies also reveal the importance of measuring social support's quality (positive or negative) to understand how it can impact workers. Finally, some studies also show that workplace violence reactions might vary depending on the victim's gender.  Objectives. The main objective of that study is to measure if the quality of social support impacts the development and evolution of the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The secondary objective is to explore if the sex of the participants can moderate the association between social support and the previously measured symptoms.  Methods. A sample of 150 Youth Protection workers answered self-reported surveys that examine their evolution four times over 12 months. Mixed linear models have been used to analyze the development of PTSD, anxiety's and depression's symptoms according to the quality of social support and then the sex of the participants.  Results. First, positive social support wasnegatively linked to depression's symptoms. Workers who perceived their social support being positive had fewer symptoms. For negative social support, it was linked to PTSD, anxiety and depression. Finally, the difference between men and women was only measured for PTSD. Men had more symptoms than women, although they benefit more from positive social support than women.  Conclusion. This study confirms the importance of measuring the quality of social support on workplace violence victims to understand its impact on psychological consequences better. Also, the sex seems to be a moderator only for PTSD's association with workplace violence.
Workplace violence Youth protection Child welfare Workers Post-traumatic disorder Anxiety