Background: Behaviours such as verbal abuse or physical aggression are one of the most common reasons for referral to mental health services in children and adolescents.
Aims: To assess the effects of exposure to aggression in all staff within a child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit.
Methods: In mid 2003, all clinical and non clinical staff employed within the unit were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to examine experiences of aggressive behaviour.
Results: Thirty-three staff participated in the survey. 84% of staff reported that they had been involved in at least one episode of physical aggression and 91% reported being involved in a non-physical aggressive incident. Aggressive behaviours negatively impacted on the perceived capacity of staff to do their jobs, the desire to continue employment and the mental health of staff. The ability to cope with aggression was influenced by the severity and frequency of aggression, support from management, patient characteristics and the reason for the behaviour. Staff proposed a range of solutions for reducing aggression.
Conclusions: Staff exposure to aggression is common in child and adolescent inpatient services. Aggression is a significant stressor for staff and poses challenges for work place health and safety and work force recruitment and retention. Further research is necessary to reduce ensure a safer work environment.
