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Crowding and aggression on inpatient psychiatric wards
1Psychiatric Hospital Welterhof, Heerlen, The Netherlands. volkoren@wxs.nl
Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.)
|June 22, 1999
Summary
Crowding on psychiatric wards showed a modest link to patient aggression. Increasing physical space did not reduce incidents, suggesting psychological space is key.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Environmental Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Crowding is a potential stressor in inpatient psychiatric settings.
- Understanding factors contributing to aggressive behavior is crucial for patient safety and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ward crowding and aggressive behavior in psychiatric inpatients.
- To determine if increasing physical space impacts the frequency of aggressive incidents.
Main Methods:
- Data on aggressive incidents were collected from two closed psychiatric wards.
- Patient numbers and ward space (including a new courtyard) were monitored over a defined period.
Main Results:
- A modest correlation was observed between the number of patients and aggressive incidents per patient.
- The addition of a courtyard (enlarging physical space) did not significantly decrease aggressive incidents.
Conclusions:
- Lack of physical space may be less critical in triggering aggression than perceived psychological space.
- Factors such as lack of privacy and insufficient rest (psychological space) may be more significant contributors to inpatient aggression.