Verbal aggression among nursing staff is an example of:

Lateral violence refers to harmful behaviors that occur between colleagues, often characterized by verbal aggression, bullying, or undermining actions. This type of behavior can create a toxic work environment and negatively impact team dynamics and patient care. In nursing, lateral violence can manifest as verbal attacks among staff members, which can lead to increased stress, decreased job satisfaction, and ultimately affect the quality of care provided to patients. Recognizing verbal aggression as an example of lateral violence is important for addressing these issues and fostering a more supportive workplace.

In contrast, team building focuses on creating positive interactions and strengthening relationships among team members. Open communication encourages sharing thoughts and feelings openly, which is the opposite of verbal aggression. Healthy conflict resolution involves addressing disagreements constructively, promoting understanding rather than aggression. Thus, identifying verbal aggression among nursing staff as lateral violence highlights the need for interventions to improve workplace culture and communication.