Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

Jose Rizal University

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Mini Research Commentary (P)

“Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists“

In partial fulfillment for the requirements of the subject

NUR C306-302N CARE OF CLIENTS W/ MALADAPTIVE PATTERNS OF BA&C

Submitted by:
Arandia, Ma. Lyn O.
Canonigo, Kate
Cañelas, Syrene Lormay
Flores, Rochelle May
Llames, Angelica
Mendoza, Shaira Via
Seludo, Gerico

Submitted to:
Prof. Elenita S. Valdez, RN, MAN
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

Characteristics of the study and hypothesis

Violence amongst mental health providers is a severe workplace issue that seems to be
on the rise. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount and nature of assault
against psychiatric nurses and other mental health providers, as well as what support, if any,
they got as a result of their exposure to violence.
According to Nolan et al (2001), A postal questionnaire was used to poll mental health
personnel working in five West Midlands Trusts in the United Kingdom to assess the degree and
kind of violence they encountered on a daily basis. There was a 47 percent overall response
rate, with a 60 percent (n=74) response rate for psychiatrists and a 45 percent (n=301) response
rate for mental health nurses.

Despite the fact that both groups experienced workplace violence, nurses were found to
have been exposed to violent behavior significantly more during their careers, to have been a
victim of violence within the 12-month period of the survey, and to have experienced a violent
event involving physical contact. While a higher percentage of nurses than psychiatrists
obtained some support after a violent occurrence, a substantial fraction of both groups did not
obtain any, despite the fact that the majority believed they needed it.

The researchers developed the hypothesis that the possible association between
violence and mental illness has long been a source of curiosity for researchers, despite the fact
that many contradictory conclusions have been reached. This association, however, remains
strong in the minds of the general public and in the experiences of certain health professionals.
Most mental health practitioners are subjected to various forms of violence at some point in
their careers. In the United Kingdom (UK), such instances have either been ignored or accepted
as an unavoidable element of mental health care. observes that there is an underlying
understanding in the literature that caring is always at the heart of mental health treatment,
and as a result, issues like social control, coercion, and violence are rarely acknowledged or
examined.
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

Respondents and Methodology

All of the respondents to the study are psychiatrists both qualified and trainee, as well as
first-level mental health nurses, who work with mental health patients in five National Health
Service Trusts in England's West Midlands region. The researchers received 375 responses, with
74 responders for psychiatrists and 301 respondents for nurses.
Questionnaires were used as the method for conducting this research. The
questionnaires were sent to the respondents via their human resource manager. Prior to and
during the study, the researchers had no direct interaction with the respondents and were
completely unknown to them. The questionnaires included 20 questions focused on
determining the type, number, and severity of violence and threats faced by nurses and
psychiatrists.
This study also employs quantitative or statistical methods meaning that the data are
transformed into numerical measures and are treated statistically. It also focuses on the priority
problems which is the violence on mental health care.

( Study Selection as well as how was the data extraction process done)

This study uses quantifiable research test using a questionnaire. It is indicated in the
research that the author/s use 20 item questions to test the severity of violent incidents and
threats of violence among the staff/s. The questionnaire was sent through a post, the
participants were from the list made by the institution's human resource managers . The
participants are all qualified and trainee psychiatrists who are currently working with a person
who has mental needs from 5 national health services trust in the west midlands region of
England. 47% of the participants returned the questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to the
qualified staff/ from the list of Human Resources Managers with cover letter and all the
information given by the staff will be confidential and study follows all ethical responsibilities.
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

Result of the Study and conclusion

There are differences found as it was significant among the employees who were a
victim of violence.
The result was that there are differences found which were significant among the
employees who were a victim of violence at work and those who are not. There are victims that
are in ages thirty-nine (39) and under who were considered victims and as compared to
non-victims, the totality rate is fifty percent (50%). Most of them spent decades in mental
health care.

However, the result shows that the higher proportion of victims who experienced
violence were those people working six to ten (6-10) years compared to non victims. And ten
percent (10%) were satisfied with their work compared to those who are not, which showed
twenty percent (21%) while seventy percent (70%) of victims still have control on their work
rather than the fifty-five percent (55%) who were not a victim.
In line with the victims, they received information concerning their duties rather than
non victims. They also had more feedback from the manager when they utilized a poor or
ineffective job rather than non victims.

Reviewers’ commentary

Arandia, Ma. Lyn O.

The findings of the authors' research were extremely relevant to the experiences of
today's psychiatric nurses. It reflects the amount of violence that many mental health facilities
are experiencing. According to the report, the majority of psychiatric nurses are underpaid.
According to the authors, training should not be limited to violent patients, but should also
cover violent and aggressive behavior in general. Indeed, the study was limited to a single
region, and its conclusions may not be applicable to other areas. Nonetheless, the findings and
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

recommendations described here are likely to have ramifications in other mental health
workplace situations.

Canonigo, Kate M.
The outcome of this analysis provides a basis to develop and implement effective
interventions in workplace violence as well as insights that can guide other future studies. Also,
identifying factors that can contribute to violence is necessary for policy makers as well as
health-care center administrators because it will help them develop strategies to address this
phenomenon.

Gerico Saludo
This research is also one of the studies that will say that violence and harm is inevitable
to the different kinds of healthcare facilities. I wish that here in the Philippines build more
mental institutions because I just know a few facilities for the people who have mental needs.
The more facilities it will lessen the bulk, it also lessen the violence and harm. The more
compensation for the psych nurses, the more nurses will stay. The more innovation and study,
the better treatment and services we can give.

Mendoza, Shaira Via Mendoza

This study focuses on the workplace violence experienced by mental health psychiatrists
and nurses. Violence incidents are a major issue that must be managed in order to reduce
injuries and attacks on employees. According to the study, employees who received training on
how to manage violence were more likely to experience violence than non-attendees. Instead of
focusing on restraint and control measures, we should focus on how to collaborate and build
therapeutic relationships with patients to reduce these incidents.

Cañelas, Syrene Lormay

Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

The study is well executed. It was successful when it comes to determining psychiatric
nurses who experience violence among their patients. This kind of study is definitely a great
opportunity to raise awareness about the psychiatric nurses’ experiences. This is a way to build
strategies in addressing this, in order to help psychiatric nurses to have a better way of
rendering care towards violent patients. Also to give much attention in improving nurses’
quality of life.

Flores, Rochelle May L.

The research is something that everyone should read and know. Everyone experiences
this and should be aware. The study is about workplace violence experienced by mental health
psychiatrists and nurses. It’s sad that its scope is limited only but if it’s given a chance to widen
it’s scope then we’ll be able to know more about others experiences. But nonetheless, it was
well executed and the findings and recommendations are something that can be done.

Llames, Angelica O.
According to the article this study shows that workplace violence is still a major concern
for mental health providers. Due to the violence experienced by the workers, this study has
been of great help to psychiatric nurses to come up with a better way of providing care to
violent patients and educate everyone working in health care settings on the prevention and
management of violent incidents.

Summary of comments:
This study focuses on the workplace violence experienced by mental health psychiatrists
and nurses. This is a way to build strategies in addressing this, to help psychiatric nurses to have
a better way of rendering care towards violent patients. According to the study, employees who
received training on how to manage violence were more likely to experience violence than
non-attendees. Also, identifying factors that can contribute to violence is necessary for
policymakers as well as healthcare center administrators because it will help them develop
strategies to address this phenomenon. It was successful when it comes to determining
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists

psychiatric nurses who experience violence among their patients. This kind of study is a great
opportunity to raise awareness about the psychiatric nurses’ experiences.

The findings of the authors' research were extremely relevant to the experiences of
today's psychiatric nurses. The outcome of this analysis provides a basis to develop and
implement effective interventions in workplace violence as well as insights that can guide other
future studies. It reflects the amount of violence that many mental health facilities are
experiencing. I wish that here in the Philippines build more mental institutions because I just
know a few facilities for the people who have mental needs. Nonetheless, the findings and
recommendations described here are likely to have ramifications in other mental health
workplace situations. This research is also one of the studies that will say that violence and
harm are inevitable to the different kinds of healthcare facilities. The more compensation for
the psych nurses, the more nurses will stay. Violence incidents are a major issue that must be
managed to reduce injuries and attacks on employees.

Reference:
Nolan, P., Dallender, J., Soares, J., Thomsen, S. and Arnetz, B. (1999), Violence in mental health
care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
30: 934-941. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2648.1999.01163.x
Violence in mental health care: the experiences of mental health nurses and psychiatrists