WVU to study violence against young workers

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – West Virginia University researchers are creating the first comprehensive national profile of workplace violence against teenagers and young adults.

“Workers in this age group are at a greater risk for workplace violence than their older counterparts, and they have not received a lot of attention,” said Kimberly Rauscher, Sc.D., of the WVU School of Public Health. “This study will help us better understand the experiences of these young workers and how workplace violence can impact their lives.”

Dr. Rauscher and Douglas Myers, Sc.D., also of the School of Public Health, have been awarded a $1.3 million grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for the research.

The research will cover acts of violence that affect people between 15 and 24 years old. The goal is to use information gathered through the research to help reduce and prevent the occurrence of workplace violence in the United States. 

The research is being conducted in collaboration with Carri Casteel, Ph.D. and Cori Peek-Asa, Ph.D., both of the University of Iowa. Leann Long, Ph.D., of  the WVU School of Public Health, will also provide support.

--WVU--