Aggression toward staff by nursing home residents: findings from a grounded theory study.
Aggressive behaviors by nursing home residents are common and can result in injury to both staff and residents. In addition, such aggressive behavior may lead to resident abuse by staff. This article describes a grounded theory study of nursing home staff response to aggressive residents and explores the problem of aggressive behaviors by nursing home residents, the conditions and context of aggression, and strategies staff use to prevent and manage aggression. To effectively deal with resident aggression, staff must become proactive, which involves three dynamic and interactive processes: practicing vigilance, intuiting, and strategizing. This article details these processes as well as the strategies staff use to deal with aggressive behaviors and makes specific recommendations for handling aggression toward staff.
Shaw
Mary M Conlin
MM
Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D005239:Fear; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires