The impact of psychiatric facility design on reducing aggressive behaviours in an adult population: a narrative literature review

Abstract

Objectives

This review examines the literature to determine whether physical design features of psychiatric facilities can help reduce aggressive behaviours in an adult patient population.

Methods

Using PRISMA’s methodology, we conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed primary studies on the physical design features and aggressive behaviours in psychiatric facilities. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of included studies.

Results

A total of eight studies were identified. The findings revealed underlying themes in physical design efforts to reduce the incidences of aggressive behaviours, which included changes in structural design (e.g. single rooms; visiting/living/recreational areas; views of outdoors/nature; and uncrowded spaces) and changes in interior design (e.g. art and home-like/comforting environment). There were varying measures of patient aggression.

Conclusions

There was mixed evidence that superficial or structural design changes to psychiatric wards reduced patient aggression. Some studies found reduced aggression; others found no changes, while one study found increased aggression following the implementation of physical design changes. The methodological limitations of the available studies made it difficult to draw causative links and further research on the topic is needed.