Faulty assumptions associated with the use of restraints with children.
OBJECTIVE
The use of restraints in nursing and other professions has a long and troubling history, particularly in psychiatric settings. No research evidence has demonstrated restraints to be therapeutically effective. A number of faulty assumptions appear to support the continued practice of this unproven and potentially dangerous intervention.


OBJECTIVE
To present and refute several faulty assumptions using the empirical literature and theory, and to discuss alternatives based on the developmental-ecological theoretical framework for responding to crises in children.


METHODS
Extant empirical literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternatives to restraints must be investigated and developed to replace the current reactive, crisis-management orientation of practice.
Mohr
W K
WK
Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, USA. wkmohr@iupui.edu
Anderson
J A
JA
D000184:Acting Out; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010356:Patient Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology