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

Violence against mental health service personnel is a serious workplace pro blem and one that appears to be increasing. This study aimed to ascertain t he extent and nature of violence against mental health nurses and psychiatr ists, and to identify what support, if any, they received following exposur e to violence. Mental health staff working within five West Midlands Trusts in the United Kingdom were surveyed using a postal questionnaire to invest igate the extent and nature of violence they encountered in their daily wor k. There was an overall response rate of 47%, which included a response rat e for psychiatrists of 60% (n = 74) and for mental health nurses of 45% (n = 301). Though both groups experienced violence at work, nurses were found: to have been exposed to violence significantly more during their career; t o have been a victim of violence within the previous 12 months of the surve y; and to have suffered a violent incident involving physical contact. Whil st a higher proportion of nurses than psychiatrists received some support f ollowing a violent incident, a large proportion of both groups did not rece ive any, although most felt in need of it. The implications of this study f or training and management are discussed.