Psychiatric patients' explanations for assaults
Abstract
Using videocameras, the authors detected 134 assaults by 40 of 113 patients treated over a 23-month period on a 14-bed intensive ward for violent psychiatric patients. After assailants were approached by an interviewer to obtain their explanations for the assaults, investigators analyzed the content of their responses by assigning up to four themes to each response. Most frequently the patient refused to be interviewed. Assailants who cooperated often claimed to have been playing with the victim, complained of verbal abuse, or said they wanted to stop objectionable behaviors by the victim. The results suggest that assailants may perceive some behaviors by victims as provocations.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).