A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF AGGRESSION AMONG PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS IN REHABILITATION WARDS

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine, among patients in re habilitation wards, the prevalence and nature of aggressive behaviour and the relationship between aggressive behaviour and patient characte ristics and ward factors. Method: The aggressive behaviour of all 220 inpatients within the rehabilitation program of a large psychiatric ho spital in Victoria was assessed using the Staff Observation Aggression Scale. Results: Physical assaults occurred at a rate of 97.6 per 100 patients per year. About 40% of all incidents appeared to be unprovoke d. Most physical incidents involved use of body parts and use of a wea pon was uncommon, Aggression was most often directed at a staff member , Serious injury was rare. Aggressive behaviour was correlated with ge nder and duration of admission for the whole sample; however, there we re different correlates of aggressive behaviour for different ward pop ulations and different types of aggression. As for ward variables, tim e of day but not patient/staffing level was associated with aggressive behaviour. Conclusions: There was a high rate of aggressive behaviour among patients in rehabilitation wards; this should be taken into con sideration in the planning of their community placement. The findings also caution against aggregating different ward populations and types of aggressive behaviour for research.