Exploring Individual Factors Associated with Critical Incidents in a Secure Psychiatric Setting: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study explored individual factors associated with critical incidents that required professional intervention. Critical incidents were defined as holding someone against their will (i.e., hostage-taking), rooftop demonstrations and isolating oneself from others (i.e., barricades). Participants were from a high secure psychiatric hospital. All had a known history of having engaged in critical incidents. They were compared with a matched sample from the same hospital with no such history. Thirty-four patients were recruited, 16 in the study group and 18 in the comparison group. Extraversion, agreeableness and an impulsive/ careless problem-solving style were noted in those who perpetrated critical incidents. Personality and problem solving were variables distinguishing the perpetrators of critical incidents. Future research exploring in more detail the individual factors associated with involvement in critical incidents is suggested.

Examining the functions of prison critical incidents: a preliminary qualitative analysis of public reporting

“…This would seem consistent with research suggesting that poor coping is a factor that could drive the decision to commit/become actively involved in a crisis-incident (e.g. Ireland et al, 2015;Hatcher et al, 1998;McMains, 1993), but the suggestion of focusing on the wider peer group and their willingness to support a potential incident is a novel one.…”

“…Crisis incidents in secure settings includes riots, roof-top protests, barricades and hostage taking, thought usually triggered by a non-rational, over-emotional state (Vecchi, Van Hasselt & Romano, 2005). During such a state, individuals feel unable to resolve their crisis, resulting in them using extreme problem-solving methods (Ireland, Halpin & Ireland, 2015;Hatcher, Mohandie, Turner & Gelles, 1998;McMains, 1993). However, our understanding as to why these incidents occur remains limited, particularly regarding the functions they serve (Cooke, Baldwin & Howison, 1990;Ireland et al, 2015), including the role of the environment (Boin & Rattray, 2004).…”

“…It is accepted, however, that crisis incidents occur in a variety of environments, including secure hospitals (Hatcher et al, 1998;Völlm, Bickle & Gibbon, 2013) and prisons (Mailloux & Serin, 2003). These environments restrict freedom (Ireland et al, 2015) and are more likely than non-secure environments to contain individuals capable of violence (Feldman, 2001;Mailloux & Serin, 2003). In such settings, it is noted that hostage taking is perpetrated more by men than women (Mailloux & Serin, 2003;Williams, 1995;Völlm et al, 2013); a likely product of more men than women being detained in secure settings.…”

“…During such a state, individuals feel unable to resolve their crisis, resulting in them using extreme problem-solving methods (Ireland et al , 2015; Hatcher et al , 1998; McMains, 1993). However, our understanding as to why these incidents occur remains limited, particularly regarding the functions they serve (Cooke et al , 1990; Ireland et al , 2015), including the role of the environment (Boin and Rattray, 2004). This is a product of limited research.…”

“…Precipitating factors (i.e. triggers) were predicted to include negative emotions, such as frustration and anger (Ireland et al , 2015; Feldman, 2001; Mailloux and Serin, 2003; Verma, 2007).…”