title: Caregiver distress. Related to disruptive behaviors on special care units versus traditional long-term care units.
abstract: The link between staff stress and exposure to disruptive behaviors is an important issue in long-term care settings. This study compared the perceptions of two groups of formal caregivers (staff) regarding their distress from the behaviors of residents in their care. Staff on special care units for dementia were less distressed with disruptive behaviors than comparable staff on traditional units, although they reported higher exposure to these behaviors. These results were related to different perceptions of intent to harm and expectations of physical aggression as "part of the job." Implications for nursing include education and support for staff to enhance the quality of life for residents and staff on units where disruptive behaviors occur.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005239:Fear; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires