Exposure to robbery in the workplace and mental health consequences among Italian pharmacy workers

Introduction: Workplace robbery exposure is a very common and traumatic event both in developed and developing countries. Research about psychological effects on workers victims of workplace robbery is relatively scarce, if compared to more “traditional” trauma studies. Objective: To assess the prevalence of robbery-related PTSD, and its effect on quality of life and work ability in a sample of Italian pharmacy workers. Methods: 90 pharmacy workers victims of robbery completed a self-report questionnaire including: socio-demographic characteristics, robberies history and descriptions, a self-report version of the CAPS-I, General Health Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Work Ability Index, SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Results: 79 victims reported PTSD symptoms following the robbery, decreasing over time for the major part of them. 10 victims reported chronic PTSD, that was mainly associated with physical injury and physical fights during the robberies. Victims with chronic PTSD reported a much lower WAI and SF-36, and higher GHQ and BDI, than non-PTSD victims. Conclusions: Exposure to workplace robbery can cause chronic PTSD, with severe and longlasting reductions in quality of life and work ability. Early intervention programs in the workplaces are needed to promote workers’ health recovery and to prevent chronic PTSD following workplace traumatic events.