The developmental and social history of repetitively aggressive mental health patients.

Objective: A small subgroup of patients is primarily responsible for the large number of aggressive and violent incidents in psychiatric inpatient units. This study aims to identify the developmental, social and interpersonal histories of repeatedly aggressive patients in order to better understand their treatment needs.

Methods: A total of 1269 consecutive inpatients were studied over 18 months, identifying 64 who were repeatedly aggressive; 128 non-aggressive patients were randomly matched to the aggressive patients by age, sex and diagnosis.

Safer at work: development and evaluation of an aggression and violence minimization program.

Objective: Aggression and violence are recognized as significant occupational risks for health care staff. A new aggression minimization program for all public health service staff at risk in New South Wales, Australia was developed and evaluated. Twenty-two hours of training was divided into specific modules addressing: general aggression and violence minimization competencies (modules 1 and 4, 10 h); the specific needs of staff working in high-risk environments (module 2, 8 h); and a module for workplace managers and supervisors (module 3, 4 h).

Does prior training and staff occupation influence knowledge acquisition from an aggression management training program?

Aggression management training has become mandatory for mental health staff in New South Wales, Australia. This study explores the differential effects of knowledge acquisition following a 2-day intensive training program for 103 mental health staff comprising three groups: (i) nurses, (ii) allied and medical staff, and (iii) ancillary staff. All occupations had significant knowledge gains following training, although knowledge acquisition was less for staff with prior training than for those without.

Differences between patient and staff perceptions of aggression in mental health units.

Objective: This study examined the views of patients and staff involved in incidents of aggression to help understand emotions experienced, perceptions of causes, and recommendations for ways of reducing the frequency of aggression.

Methods: A total of 29 staff and 29 patients from four psychiatric inpatient units who were involved in 47 incidents of aggression over a four-month period were interviewed shortly after the incidents.

Results: Significant differences were found between staff and patient perceptions of the causes of aggression and recommendations for reducing it.