Institutional climate and aggression in a secure psychiatric setting

Abstract

The number of aggressive incidents committed by patients in (secure) mental health care is high. The present study examined the relation between institutional climate (support, growth, atmosphere, and repression) and aggressive incidents using data of 72 patients in a secure (forensic) mental health clinic and a clinic for prolonged intensive care. Longitudinal analyses showed that support from nurses was negatively associated with aggressive incidents. The relation between growth and aggressive incidents was mediated by support. Mental health nurses could have an important contribution to decreasing aggression incidents in secure mental health care facilities by offering support and possibilities for growth to the patients.