Characteristics of Assaultive Psychiatric Patients: 20-Year Analysis of the Assaultive Staff Action Program (ASAP)

Abstract

Empirical research demonstrates that patient assaults on staff are a worldwide occupational hazard. This study examined patient assailant characteristics in a 20-year longitudinal, retrospective study in one public health care system. Older male patients with schizophrenic illness and histories of violence toward others and substance use disorder and younger male/female patients with personality disorders and histories of violence toward others, personal victimization, and substance use disorder were the more frequent assailants. This was true at 10-, 15-, and 20-year periods. Specific clinical findings with regard to forensic patients, the violence triad, and victimization of women as well as methodological issues were discussed and the implications noted.

Modifiable factors affecting inpatient violence in an acute child and adolescent psychiatric unit: A 16‐year retrospective study

“…In our study, more boys than girls were repeat assaulters too; therefore, our finding does not appear to contradict those of other studies, which noticed that women may be as violent as men in the psychiatric context (Flannery et al . ; Sturup et al . ).…”

“…Physical assault towards nursing staff or fellow patients is defined as unwanted contact with another person with an intent to harm (Flannery et al . ), including hitting, chasing and cornering, punching, grabbing, kicking, slapping, biting, spitting, and throwing objects directly at the staff or other patients. Physical assault towards self is defined as the deliberate injury to self.…”

“…; Flannery et al . ). Demographic factors have been thoroughly examined from the majority of studies.…”

“…), while in others, violence was almost equally recorded among the two genders (Flannery et al . ; Sturup et al . ).…”

“…All studies referring to adult and juvenile populations reported positive psychotic symptoms (van Kessel et al 2012), agitation, affective disorders (Knox et al 2000), substance abuse, and a previous history of aggressive behaviour as predisposing factors of violent incidents in the psychiatric wards (Amore et al 2008;Flannery et al 2011). Demographic factors have been thoroughly examined from the majority of studies.…”