title: Social climate of acute old age psychiatry inpatient units: staff perceptions within the context of patient aggression.
abstract: Patient aggression occurs in old age psychiatry and is contrary to their recovery and to the well-being of staff. A favourable social climate can contribute to a reduction in aggression. The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions of clinical staff about the social climate of acute old age psychiatry inpatient units. Eighty-five clinicians were recruited from these facilities. They completed a survey questionnaire about the social climate or ward atmosphere of inpatient units. The findings showed that, to some extent, respondents' perceived patient cohesion and mutual support were evident, units were perceived somewhat positively as safe environments for patients and staff, and the ward climate helped meet patients' therapeutic needs. Overall, clinicians were somewhat positive about the social climate of the units, and this has implications for the perception of aggression in old age psychiatry inpatient settings. As there is a direct relationship between social climate and aggression, clinicians should consider adopting a broad-based, person-centred approach to the promotion of a favourable social climate in old age psychiatry inpatient settings.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health and Aged Care Discipline, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McCann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Muir-Cochrane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: aggression; old age psychiatry; social climate; therapeutic milieu; ward atmosphere