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- Title
Some patterns of disturbed behaviour in a closed ward environment .
- Authors
Weaver, Susan M.; Broome, Annabel K.; Kat, Bernard J. J.
- Abstract
This article is concerned with identifying some of the causes of disturbed behaviors which are related to the psychological environment in a locked ward of a mental hospital. As part of a research project concerned with reducing the frequency of disturbed and disruptive behavior, such incidents have been monitored and analyzed with a view to better understanding their antecedents and thus establishing more effective management policies. Of special interest has been a group of disturbed forms of behavior which appear to be related to each other by what we have termed 'psychological factors' in the closed setting. Specifically, these arise from and are maintained by the expectations that staff and patients have regarding normative behavior in a locked ward. It is suggested that the closed setting implicitly defines certain disturbed behavior as acceptable and that there are direct links between these norms and the level and particular variety of disturbed behavior on the ward. The dangers of failing to recognize the relationship between disturbed behavior and the psychological implications of security and illness and particularly of over-reacting to apparent increases in disturbance are discussed.
- Subjects
PATIENTS; BEHAVIOR; HOSPITAL wards; MEDICAL care; PSYCHOLOGY; PUBLIC health
- Publication
Journal of Advanced Nursing (Wiley-Blackwell), 1978, Vol 3, Issue 3, p251
- ISSN
0309-2402
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2648.1978.tb02965.x