Repetitively violent patients in psychiatric units.

Objective: Violent incidents in inpatient psychiatric settings were examined among a group of repeatedly violent patients to better understand the clinical and occupational health significance of repeated violence.

Methods: Data on violent incidents were collected prospectively over seven months in five psychiatric units in Sydney, Australia. Recidivist patients--those responsible for more than 20 incidents of violence or aggression--and nonrecidivist violent patients were compared in terms of the nature of the incidents, warning signs, and staff responses to violence.

Violence and aggression in psychiatric units.

Objective: To help predict aggressive and violent behaviors, the frequency and types of these behaviors in acute psychiatric inpatient settings were examined, and potential interactions between staffing and patient mix and rates of the behaviors were explored.

Methods: Data on violent incidents were gathered prospectively in three adult acute psychiatric units in a general hospital and two units in a primary psychiatric hospital in Sydney, Australia. Staff recorded violent and aggressive incidents, which were ranked on an 8-level scale.

Lunar cycles and violent behaviour.

Objective: It is commonly believed that the full moon exerts an influence on violence and aggression in psychiatric settings. The literature to date is contentious. This study used a robust methodology to examine the hypothesis that there was an increased frequency of violent and aggressive behaviour among hospitalised psychiatric clients at the time of the full moon.