The Relationship between Nurses' Horizontal Violent and the Rate of Child Abuse against Their Children

Background & aim: Horizontal violence toward nurses is known as an occupational injury agent around the world that has serious consequences for them. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nurses’ horizontal violence and the rate of child abuse against their children. Methods: This study was a correlational descriptive study. 230 married nurses with children under 18 years old working in Isfahan social security hospitals were studied according to Cochran's formula by quota sampling method. Data were collected using two standard questionnaires of the parent-child conflict tactics scale (1995) and the Dumont horizontal violent questionnaire (2012). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive (frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Pearson correlation, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA) with SPSS v.25. Results: Findings showed that the mean score of nurses' horizontal violent and abuse against children among nurses was higher than the average. There was also a positive and significant relationship between nurses horizontal violent and nurses' child abuse (neglect) against their children (r=0.257, p>0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, horizontal violence in nurse's professional environment can increase the nurse's abuse (neglect) against their children. Therefore, paying more attention to horizontal violence and holding awareness-raising workshops and training on complications horizontal violence of nurses can help reduce the multifaceted effects of this phenomenon, including neglect against their children.