Original scientific paper
IMPACT OF ARMED ROBBERY ON THE VICTIMS’ WORK ABILITY
Lukrecija Pavićević
Jasminka Bobić
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvtaska
Abstract
SUMMARY: The study addresses the psychological difficulties of victims of armed robbery and possible consequences on the work ability. Our sample comprised 109 workers who suffered one or more armed robberies at their workplace between 2001 and 2007. They were examined by a psychiatrist and their occupational accident reports were thoroughly studied. Workers at post offices and gas stations, and cashiers in stores and lottery ticket offices were included in the study. Acute stress disorder (F 40.0) occurred in all subjects after armed robbery, and the majority started outpatient psychiatric treatment within the first week. Mainly due to personnel shortages in their work organizations, treatment was discontinued before full recovery, which led to partial PTSD (F 43, 1) and work with a lot of psychic problems. Retraumatization during therapy influenced significantly the degree and duration of recovery. In 27% of our subjects PTSD was found to be a permanent condition, while 5% lost their working ability. The risk factors for the occurrence of PTSD were: repeated attacks, circumstances during the attack, retraumatization during the recovery period and earlier illnesses of the victims.
Keywords
armed robbery; work ability; PTSD
Hrčak ID:
75012
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2011.
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