An exploration into the impact of patient aggression towards staff in secure forensic hospitals – from risk factors to coping

Allen, Rachel (2019) An exploration into the impact of patient aggression towards staff in secure forensic hospitals – from risk factors to coping. DForenPsy thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to develop better understanding of the role of inpatient aggression in forensic healthcare settings. This was achieved through a variety of methods including two research studies, a systematic review and a critique of a frequently used psychometric measure.

Following an introduction in Chapter one, Chapter two explored the risk factors to inpatient aggression using a qualitative approach. Four themes emerged from the six participants which focussed around staff communication, routine and rules on the wards, staff knowledge and staff attitudes. These were discussed in relation to the job resources and demands outlined in the Job Demand-Resources (JD-R) Model.

Chapter three provided a critique of the Maslach Burnout Scale (MBI). This confirmed the use of the MBI in the following two chapters of this thesis.

Chapter four used quantitative measures to explore the non-somatic impact inpatient aggression has on staff members within two private secure forensic hospitals in the United Kingdom. Results indicated that experience of physical aggression is prevalent and staff victims showed a decrease in job satisfaction and increase in the depersonalisation subscale of burnout. No differences were found regarding the other two subscales of burnout or anxiety. No effect was found for the number of incidents staff members’ experience.



Chapter five moves onto presenting a systematic review of seven studies reporting on the coping strategies staff members use after experiencing inpatient aggression. Results found that organisational support can be effective in reducing non-somatic symptoms but staff members do not perceive this support as helpful and therefore, they rely on personal coping strategies. This chapter highlighted the use of organisation resources in supporting staff members.

Finally, chapter six draws the thesis together through discussing the JD-R Model, implications, limitations and provides recommendations for future research.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (DForenPsy)
Supervisors: Chou, Shihning
Khalifa, Najat
Keywords: In-patient aggression; Systematic review; Psychometric measure; Maslach Burnout Scale; JD-R Model
Subjects: W Medicine and related subjects (NLM Classification) > WM Psychiatry
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Item ID: 56128
Depositing User: Allen, Rachel
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2019 04:40
Last Modified: 07 May 2020 11:46
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/56128

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