Violence and aggression towards staff in secure settings

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to undertake a systematic literature review to appraise the current evidence relating to the factors associated with violence and aggression in adult psychiatric hospital inpatient settings. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of following four databases was conducted: Scopus, PsychINFO Medline, CIHAHL and PsychArticle. Following the application of the inclusion criteria, ten papers were extracted and included in the review. A quality appraisal tool, Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2011 (Pluye et al., 2011), was employed for the appraisal of the qualitative and quantitative studies. MMAT has been designed for systematic literature reviews that include qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies. Of these, eight were of quantitative methodology and two were of qualitative studies. Findings These ten papers provide an insight into factors associated with violence and aggression towards nursing staff. Three main themes were identified: the environment, attitudes/interaction of staff, and the patient’s mental illness. The themes were important factors in the causes of violence but were interlinked highlighting the complex nature of violence towards nursing staff. The findings support the need for training for nursing staff and the development of ongoing support and for organisations to consider both the environment and the restrictive procedures to help reduce violence and aggression towards nursing staff. Practical implications The paper concludes by outlining the importance of considering the three main themes for clinical practice, training and development of secure services. Originality/value This paper gives insight into the factors associated with patient violence and aggression towards nursing staff in a secure setting.

Measuring the profiles of the security needs of forensic psychiatric inpatients: Validation of the See, Think, Act Scale

“…As untoward incidents and near‐misses, such as violence, suicide, and abscondence, in medium‐security forensic services can be linked to breakdowns in relational security, measuring relational security is an important service quality indicator (Chester et al, ; Collins & Davies, ; Department of Health, ; Greenwood & Braham, ; Kennedy, ; Long et al, ; Sullivan & Ghroum, ; Tighe & Gudjonsson, ; Welsh Assembly Government, ). The measurement of relational security also provides insight into the quality of relational security within services, assists in the direct exploration of the strengths and weaknesses of the services, and allows for timely intervention before an incident occurs (Chester et al, ).…”

“…Researchers have described the relationship between a breakdown in relational security and untoward incidents and near-misses in secure forensic units (Chester et al, 2017;Collins & Davies, 2005;Department of Health, 2010b;Kennedy, 2002;Tighe & Gudjonsson, 2012;Welsh Assembly Government, 2009). Greenwood and Braham (2018) conducted a systematic literature review to appraise the current evidence related to the factors associated with violence and aggression towards nursing staff in adult psychiatric secure hospital inpatient settings. Three main themes were identified as important factors in the causes of violence: the "environment," the "attitudes/interaction of staff," and the "patient's mental illness" (Greenwood & Braham, 2018).…”

“…As untoward incidents and near-misses, such as violence, suicide, and abscondence, in medium-security forensic services can be linked to breakdowns in relational security, measuring relational security is an important service quality indicator (Chester et al, 2017;Collins & Davies, 2005;Department of Health, 2010b;Greenwood & Braham, 2018;Kennedy, 2002;Long et al, 2011;Sullivan & Ghroum, 2013;Tighe & Gudjonsson, 2012;Welsh Assembly Government, 2009).…”

“…Greenwood and Braham () conducted a systematic literature review to appraise the current evidence related to the factors associated with violence and aggression towards nursing staff in adult psychiatric secure hospital inpatient settings. Three main themes were identified as important factors in the causes of violence: the “environment,” the “attitudes/interaction of staff,” and the “patient's mental illness” (Greenwood & Braham, ). The theme “attitudes/interaction of staff” is a salient component of relational security.…”

Supporting mental health staff following exposure to occupational violence – staff perceptions of ‘peer’ support

“…It is one of the most serious work‐related hazards facing staff in the healthcare sector (Parliament of Victoria, 2011). Staff employed in secure settings may be at even greater risk given that many of the consumers being treated have established histories of violence (Greenwood & Braham, 2018; Meehan et al . 2006b).…”