Victimization on the job: the influence of thefts and robberies on Irish and Italian employees and its relationship with psychological well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although some similarities are evident in manifestations, etiology and coping, research suggests that cultural variations may explain different reactions to workplace violence. This study explores similarities and differences between Italian and Irish workers’ well-being in relation to robberies and theft exposure. A sample of Italian (N = 319) and Irish (N = 251) employees working in small businesses completed a self-report questionnaire examining post-traumatic symptoms and trauma-related coping self-efficacy. Results indicated that Italian victims reported higher post-traumatic symptoms than their Irish counterparts. When compared to those who experienced thefts only, Italian victims who had experienced both thefts and robberies experienced more post-traumatic symptoms and lower coping self-efficacy, whereas Irish employees differed significantly only in hyper-arousal symptomatology. Regression analyses revealed that coping self-efficacy had a protective role against the risk of developing post-traumatic symptomatology. In both countries, interventions fostering employees’ coping self-efficacy perceptions might stimulate psychological recovery, especially among victims of both thefts and robberies.