[Facing an aggressive client--psychological consequences for employees]. / W obliczu agresywnego petenta--konsekwencje psychologiczne dla pracowników.

The main aim of the study was to assess the frequency of violence at work experienced by employees, representing selected occupational groups, and to identify forms of aggression manifested by clients. We also tried to find out whether the frequency of aggressive behaviours of clients differentiates the intensity of fear attitudes. In addition, we made an attempt to discover whether the intensity of fear attitude towards clients is associated with perceived social support and burnout. The study covered 248 employees: social workers of the Municipal Welfare Centre, as well as inspectors of the State Labour Inspectorate and the Revenue Office. The study revealed that social workers were mostly exposed to aggressive behaviour of clients, and they showed the most fearful attitude towards contacts with them. This attitude was concomitant with burnout. The results of the study suggest that the contact with aggressive behaviour encountered at work is conducive to inappropriate treatment of clients, job dissatisfaction and the feeling of senselessness. As indicated by the study, the conviction that one may count on the support superiors and colleagues suggest in stressful situations at work mitigate the fear attitude towards clients.

[Mental health status in workers: the results based on the Munich version of the International Composite Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI)]. / Stan zdrowia psychicznego osób pracujacych--wyniki uzyskane na podstawie badan Monachijska wersja Zlozonego Miedzynarodowego Kwestionariusza Diagnostycznego (M-CIDI).

The present study was undertaken with two objectives. First, to assess the prevalence of mental health disorders among primary health patients. All the subjects under study (n = 170) had at least part time job. The mental health status of the patients was assessed on the basis of standardized psychiatric interview, M-CIDI (computer version). More than a half of the study population (51.8%) had at least one diagnosis of mental health disorder. The following disorders were most common in the group: neurotic, stress-related and somaform disorders (32.9%), mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (26.5; 11.8%--nicotine dependence) and mood (affective) disorders (16.5%). Two or more mental health disorders were diagnosed in every second person. Second, to evaluate the usefulness of M-CIDI as a tool for assessing psychiatric problems. Taking into account the research experience, M-CIDI is a valuable and easy to use diagnostic tool for detecting mental health disorders. The most important advantage of this instrument relies on its standardization that allows to carry out examinations even by persons who have no knowledge of psychiatry. The computer version of the M-CIDI is little time-consuming, simple and easy to operate as compared to the paper-pencil version It also has a quick access to the data base with the stored information about patients and their diagnoses.