Reduction of Physical Restraints in Residential Treatment Facilities

Abstract

Children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral problems in residential settings can become so aggressive that physical restraints are utilized to keep them and others safe. Recently, the use of physical restraints in residential treatment facilities for school-aged children has come under increased scrutiny, and there have been legislative mandates that the use of physical restraints be reduced. This article describes a quasi-experimental field study conducted to examine the effectiveness of a 2-phase (organizational and milieu) physical restraint reduction intervention in a multisite residential treatment center. Results provide support for the effectiveness of organizational-level and milieu interventions for restraint reduction. Overall, restraint rates were reduced by 59% using these interventions.