Violent incidents in psychiatric settings are a frequent and serious problem. Incidents appear to be underreported, and the seriousness of an incident does not guarantee it will be reported.

Even though this study focused only on serious incidents and defined recidivism narrowly, it found that recidivism of violence and aggression among psychiatric patients was a serious problem. The relative lack of response by staff members to the violent acts of recidivist patients is of concern.

Future research could profitably examine the implications of a belief in the lunar effect among health workers in the face of evidence that no relationship exists between violence, aggression and the lunar cycle.

Future research could profitably examine the implications of a belief in the lunar effect among health workers in the face of evidence that no relationship exists between violence, aggression and the lunar cycle.