Management of Aggression and Violence in Patients with Mental Disorders

Abstract

Relevance of the study. Aggression outbreaks towards healthcare providers has one of the highest numbers comparing to other professions, especially in psychiatric departments and institutions. There is a lot of researches conducted by foreign researchers about aggression among mental health patients, but only several of studies have been performed in Lithuania. Finding the cause of what leads patients to be aggressive and how to prevent most surely can change the current situation enormously in order to achieve safer work environment and more efficient care so as better work performance. To provide a more effective overview of the problem of aggression among mental health patients in our study, we will also discuss about the possible prevention methods. Aim of the study. To evaluate principles for managing violence and aggression for the patients with mental disorders. Objectives of the study. 1. To define the manifestations of aggression and violence in patients with mental illness. 2. To find out the main reasons for violence and aggression occurrence for the patients with mental disorders according to two hospitals nurses’ experience. 3. To determine most efficient aggression management measures in order to decrease occurrence of aggressive and violent behavior in patients with mental disorders based on two hospitals nurses’ experience. Research methods. Scientific literature analysis. With non-probabilistic purposive sampling 68 nurses who work in psychiatric departments have been questioned by using semi structured type questionnaires. For statistical data analysis were used “Excel” program. Conclusions. According to literature, violence and aggression in patients with mental illness are most often manifested by abusive behavior directed towards medical staff. Based on the experience of the nurses, the main causes of violence and aggression in patients with mental disorders are most related to the patients themselves; less so with nursing staff and environmental factors. Analyzing the results of the study it is fair to conclude that nurses noticed positive impact of different therapies. Our respondents consider that the most effective way is cognitive behavioral therapy, less effective – music and art therapies.