A pilot study to test an intervention for dealing with verbal aggression

Abstract

Verbal aggression has been defined as communication with an intention to harm an individual through words, tone or manner, regardless of whether harm occurs. It includes verbal threat to harm, ridicule, openly hostile remarks, unjust persistent criticism, shouting or yelling insults, as well as more covert actions such as spreading hurtful rumours (Cox, 1987; Farrell et al, 2006). Receiving verbal aggression from a patient has been closely associated with psychological distress which may negatively affect work performance. A verbal aggression work book was developed to help nursing staff to deal with verbal aggression from patients in clinical practice. This was piloted over a six-week period with 18 nurses working on one acute psychiatric inpatient ward. Findings revealed that the intervention had some promising effects. However, much more attention needs to be paid to changing attitudes towards verbal aggression.

Learning and performance outcomes of mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques for the management of violence and aggression

“…Seven studies provided a rudimentary qualitative evaluation of training acceptability. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Heterogeneity of intervention intensity and content…”

“…Of nine studies providing evidence of potential moderators of effectiveness, 9,20,28,29,31,32,[42][43][44] only three 9,20,28 met at least three of the four key quality criteria for moderator analyses. Of the seven studies providing a qualitative evaluation of the acceptability of training, [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] none provided sufficient methodological detail to meet any of the COREQ quality standards.…”

“…Increases in confidence after training were reported elsewhere but the significance of this finding was not evaluated. 22 Surprisingly, given the evidence of increased confidence, there was no evidence that the training impacted on subjective anxiety regulation in the management of aggression, 19,29,32,43 although one study reported a medium-sized (ES = 0.54) non-significant reduction in feelings of anxiety post-training. 29 There was some, albeit limited, evidence that training may, in the short term, sensitise participants to the risk of assault and increase anxiety.…”

“…36 Three weak studies reported reductions in incident rate but failed to evaluate the significance of these effects. [22][23][24] Injuries. Results were again mixed, although the stronger two of four studies evaluating this outcome demonstrated positive effects in reducing injuries.…”

Verbale Aggressionen in psychiatrischen Einrichtungen

“…Trotz der großen Häufigkeit und der weiten Verbreitung dieses Phäno-mens existieren kaum Untersuchungen, welche sich primär mit verbalen Aggressionen beschäftigt haben [11]. Vor .…”