Environmental influences on agitation: An integrative summary of an observational study

Abstract

This paper consolidates empirical findings from an observational study aimed at elucidating the environmental conditions surrounding the manifestation of agitated behaviors. Although great variability was found between and within participants, when environmental conditions were analyzed separately, different behaviors occurred under different environmental conditions and seem to have different meanings. For example, verbally disruptive behaviors seem to be associated with discomfort. Others, such as requests for attention and aggressive behaviors, may be adaptive, and may signal an attempt to communicate needs. Additionally, certain environmental conditions seem to affect agitation regardless of the specific manifestation, such that most agitated behaviors seem to increase when the resident is physically restrained, inactive, or alone.