Resilience of healthcare workers facing workplace violence in Shanghai: a cross-sectional study

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs)is a global issue. Resilience, a constructive psychological resource, can help HCWs better cope with WPV. This study examined resilience levels and factors influencing HCWs exposed to WPV. Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, 180 HCWs from two tertiary hospitals in Shanghai completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, hospital WPV, social support, general self-efficacy, emotion regulation, and resilience. Data were collected using the Questionnaire Star platform and analyzed using SPSS 27.0 software. Results: Over the past 12 months, verbal violence being the most prevalent (90.0%) among HCWs who have experienced WPV. Participants had high resilience scores (70.21 ± SD 12.255). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy (β = 0.363, P < 0.001) and cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.312, P < 0.001) positively affected resilience. Conclusions: The prevalence of WPV among HCWs was high. Although their resilience levels were strong, further reinforcement is needed by enhancing self-efficacy and fostering an adaptive cognitive perspective. This study suggests that self-efficacy and cognitive reappraisal are key intervention focal points that contribute to the resilience of HCWs exposed to WPV.