Psychological well‐being of staff working with people who have challenging behaviour

Abstract

The present survey explored stress in direct-care staff working with people who have learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. A total of 78 (82.7% response rate) staff working in 14 small community houses participated. Houses were selected on the basis of 'expert' (Head of Psychology Services) knowledge of houses where residents were known to display challenging behaviour and houses where there was no known history of challenging behaviour. Residents were assessed by key workers for adaptive behaviour, challenging behaviour and mental health using partially validated questionnaires. Staff completed self-report questionnaires on job demands, anxiety and depression, staff support, and information on the presence/absence of challenging behaviour in their home. Staff working in houses with residents who showed challenging behaviour were significantly more anxious than staff working in houses with no challenging behaviour; they also reported feeling significantly less supported, were less clear about the identification of risk situations and had lower job satisfaction. No differences were found on measures of job demands and depression. Regression analyses exploring the relationships between these variables are discussed along with the implications of the findings.

Work stress and people with Down syndrome and dementia

“…This fi nding is supported by the literature, in that the degree of challenging behaviour is a predictor of psychological well-being in staff (e.g. Jenkins et al., 1997, Hincliffe et al., 1992.…”

“…It would therefore be unwise to generalise from these observations to those people with behavioural diffi culties as a whole without testing a larger population fi rst. Although some support for the fi ndings is provided by Jenkins et al (1997), the use of different measurements for both resident characteristics and staff well-being may lessen the comparability of the results. In contrast Chung, Corbett and Cumella (1996) found that although burnout was high, staff had a positive outlook towards working with clients, with burnout being correlated with management issues (e.g.…”

“…This research is not restricted to learning disabilities but encompasses most services where caregivers are involved (Hinchliffe, Hyman, Blizard & Livingston, 1992). Research with direct-care staff working with people who had learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, indicated that those staff working in houses where there was a known history of challenging behaviour reported more anxiety than staff in non-challenging behaviour houses (Jenkins et al, 1997). These fi ndings suggest It has been argued that the most common source of stress for those caring for individuals with challenging behaviour was the absence of an effective way to deal with challenging behaviour and the unpredictability of such behaviour (Bromly & Emerson, 1995).…”

“…An extensive amount of research has looked at the effects of challenging behaviour on caregiver well-being, (Jenkins, Rose & Lovell, 1997). This research is not restricted to learning disabilities but encompasses most services where caregivers are involved (Hinchliffe, Hyman, Blizard & Livingston, 1992).…”

A cluster randomised controlled trial of a manualised cognitive behavioural anger management intervention delivered by supervised lay therapists to people with intellectual disabilities

“…18 Aggression resulting from uncontrolled anger can lead to serious consequences, which include exclusion from services, breakdown of residential placements, and involvement with the criminal justice system. [19][20][21] Aggressive behaviour can also have an impact on the psychological well-being of care staff 22 and the quality of care they provide 23 and on the health and well-being of family carers.…”