Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sexual violence against mental health nurses in psychiatric hospitals
By Anastasi G et al.·2026·Department of Medicine and Surgery, Italy·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Sexual Violence Against Mental Health Nurses in Inpatient Psychiatric Settings: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors.
Plain-English summary
This study looked at the issue of sexual violence against mental health nurses working in psychiatric hospitals. It found that the rates of such violence can vary widely, with some studies reporting that as many as 68% of nurses experienced it in some form, including verbal harassment and physical assault. The research also showed that nurses who faced sexual violence often had a lower quality of life, experienced burnout, and missed work days. Factors that increased the risk included the nurse's gender, age, education, and whether they worked night shifts or in high-stress environments. Overall, the study highlights that sexual violence is a serious concern for mental health nurses, and more research is needed to develop effective ways to prevent it.
Abstract
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Workplace violence (WPV) is a major occupational concern in psychiatric settings, where mental health nurses (MHNs) are consistently identified as a high-risk professional group. Within this context, sexual violence (SV) remains understudied as a distinct phenomenon and is often embedded within aggregated measures of WPV. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on SV against MHNs working in inpatient settings by: (1) describing its prevalence, forms, and characteristics; (2) examining psychological, occupational, and physical outcomes; and (3) identifying associated risk factors. <b>Methods</b>: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251103606). A literature search was performed across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo, supplemented by reference list checking and citation tracking. Peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies published in English or Italian were eligible if they involved MHNs working in inpatient settings and addressed SV. Study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. A narrative synthesis following SWiM guidance was undertaken, and the certainty of evidence for statistically significant outcomes was assessed using the GRADE approach. <b>Results</b>: Twenty-five studies published between 2003 and 2025 were included. Definitions of SV varied substantially. Reported prevalence ranged from 0% to 68%, with verbal sexual harassment ranging from 19.5% to 53.4%, physical sexual harassment ranging from 14% to 42.9%, and sexual assault up to 18.6%. Evidence indicated associations between SV exposure and poorer quality of life, burnout, and days lost from work. The main risk factors included gender, age, education, work experience, employment type, acute psychiatric settings, night shifts, normalization of violence, and history of physical and sexual violence. <b>Conclusions</b>: SV against MHNs represents a relevant issue in psychiatric settings. Findings suggest significant psychological and occupational consequences. Standardized definitions and measurement, longitudinal research, and intervention studies are needed to inform effective prevention strategies and organizational responses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41745884