A study to investigate how nurses deal with patients' aggressive behaviour in the acute psychiatric setting : a qualitative study

Abstract

This research study aimed to study and explore how nurses deal with patient's aggressive behaviour in the acute psychiatric setting. To fulfill the study's aim a qualitative research design was utilized to conduct this research study. The experiences of a purposive sample of 10 nurses working in an acute psychiatric ward were obtained through semi-structured interviews. A comprehensive literature understanding was performed in order to design the interview schedule. The latter was designed by the researcher himself together with the help of his dissertation supervisor. In order to address the English and Maltese speaking nurses, a Maltese and English version of the interview schedule was prepared. To transcribe the data attained from the interviews, the researcher listened to the audio taped interviews carefully for several times. An in depth analysis was prepared while the researcher read the interview transcriptions. Consequently, three emergent themes were developed which focused on the nurses general overview of patient's aggression, the management of patient's aggressive behaviour and support and training issues. These themes, sub themes and their related concepts were then discussed in light of the identified literature. The main findings of this study were that the increase of patient's aggressive episodes in mental acute settings can be prevented or reduced by the appropriate, therapeutic and effective use of the full range of interventions. This will maintain safety while providing a safe and therapeutic environment. These research findings helped to create awareness about the importance of providing professional and proper regular training courses to proactively manage and influence inpatient aggression. Finally, this research study will facilitate the meaning of providing debriefing and support counselling services for both staff and aggressive patients. These formal support services can actually intensify the therapeutic value of experiences for both the staff and the patient. Additional recommendations were then devised with specific responses of the interviewees.