Risk Factors for Work-Related Violent Victimization

This case-control study used the National Crime Victimization Survey database (a national sample of housing addresses) to examine sociodemographic risk factors for becoming a victim of work-related robbery and assault. Cases (N = 267) reported having been violently victimized in the previous 6 months. Controls (N = 1, 783) were chosen from all nonvictims of violent crime at the end of the 6-month period. Risk factors varied by type of victimization, and differences were evident between men and women. Men less than 45 years of age had an increased risk for assault odds ratio (OR) = 2. 0-2. 7, compared with those 55 years of age and older; and those with a family income of less than 40, 000 had an increased risk for assault (OR = 1. 7-1. 9), compared with those having a family income of 50, 000 or more. We found a decreased risk for those with a high school education (OR = 0. 6), compared with those with some college education. For women, an increased risk was seen for ages 16-18 years (OR = 3. 3) and 25-34 years (OR = 2. 3), compared with those 55 years of age or older. Women who were divorced or separated (OR = 4. 4) and never-married (OR = 2. 1) were at higher risk than women who were married. We found a decreased risk for nonwhites (OR = 0. 5), compared with whites.