Experiencing restraint: A dialogic narrative inquiry from a service user perspective.

In recent decades concerns about violence and programs for the minimization of physical restraint, amongst other restrictive practices, have proliferated within mental health policy and practice. Whilst nurses are often called upon when violence occurs within mental health care settings, they often find themselves having the conflicting roles of caring and controlling. Within such situations it is service users, who are experts by experience, who perhaps can offer more meaningful insight into being restrained and thus provide a more appropriate approach in dealing with mental distress.

An integrative review exploring the physical and psychological harm inherent in using restraint in mental health inpatient settings.

In Western society, policy and legislation seeks to minimize restrictive interventions, including physical restraint; yet research suggests the use of such practices continues to raise concerns. Whilst international agreement has sought to define physical restraint, diversity in the way in which countries use restraint remains disparate. Research to date has reported on statistics regarding restraint, how and why it is used, and staff and service user perspectives about its use.