V–W

violence Actions of aggression that cause inten-
tional harm to others. Violence may be targeted or
random and may occur in the workplace, at
school, or in the home (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE). Vio-
lence is a leading cause of injury and death in the
United States, accounting for nearly two million
hospital emergency visits and 20,000 deaths a
year. Homicide is also the leading cause of death
among pregnant women, claiming about 2,000
lives each year.
Those most vulnerable to injury and death due
to violence are young people, primarily men,
between the ages of 15 and 24, for whom homi-
cide is the second leading cause of death (and
leading cause of death among African Americans).
Firearms (mostly handguns) account for nearly
two thirds of all homicides in the United States.
The most common form of violence against young
people is date violence—actions such as hitting,
choking, and forced sex. Youth gangs are also
often violence oriented.
The long-term consequences of violence
include physically disabling health conditions such
as TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY(TBI) and SPINAL CORD
INJURY, which often result in permanent BRAIN
damage or PARALYSIS. Psychologic conditions such
as ACUTE STRESS DISORDER, DEPRESSION, GENERALIZED
ANXIETY DISORDER(GAD), PHOBIA, and POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) are also common among
people who have experienced violence.
Efforts to reduce violence include recognition
of warning signs that a person may be inclined
toward violence or is planning an act of violence.
Such signs may include

• outbursts of extreme anger or rage


• talk of committing acts of violence


• possession of weapons or destructive devices
  
  
  • punching, hitting, or choking others in “fun”
  
  
  • disparaging attitudes and comments toward
    individuals, ethic groups, or organizations (such
    as schools, employers, or the government)
  
  
  
  

Depending on the person’s behavior, age, and

other circumstances, the appropriate authorities

may be able to intervene to thwart potential acts

of violence. PSYCHOTHERAPYand BEHAVIORAL MODIFI-

CATION THERAPYmay help individuals replace vio-

lent reactions and behaviors with behaviors that

are more appropriate; therapy can help individuals

understand what causes the feelings of frustration

or anger that are often behind their violent

actions. Psychotherapy and COGNITIVE THERAPYmay

help people who have experienced violence to

develop constructive COPING MECHANISMS.

See also ACCIDENTAL INJURIES; ANGER AND ANGER

MANAGEMENT; CHILD ABUSE; ELDER ABUSE; SEXUAL

ASSAULT; STRESS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT; SUICIDE

IDEATION AND SUICIDE.

workplace stress Tension and pressure among

co-workers in the work environment or within

individuals as a consequence of work demands. In

the work environment people must work

together, often in collaborative ways, with people

they might otherwise not associate. Though many

employers attempt to foster good relationships

among employees, co-workers may have little in

common beyond specific work qualifications and

job skills. More than 25 percent of workers in the

United States consider work the most significant

source of stress in their lives. About 60 percent of

work absenteeism is directly attributable to stress.

Issues in the workplace may include co-work-

ers who do not get along with one another, people

who do not pull their share of the workload,

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