Correlates of restraint use in an institutional population

Demographic and behavioral correlates of the use of restraint were analyzed in an institutional population of 300 persons with developmental disabilities. Examination of the frequency distributions of restraint frequency and duration indicated that there were 33 consumers who experiences relatively few, short-duration restraint and 11 consumers who had daily restraint for many hours. Separate analyses of these two kinds of restraint were performed. Short-duration restraint was predicted by behavioral variables indicating extra-personal maladaptive behaviors. Demographic variables did not predict short-term restraint. Multiple regression analysis indicated that only independent predictor of short-term restraint was the severity rating of Hurts Others. Similar results were found for predictors of the duration of short-term restraint. The only correlates of long-duration restraint was low weight, Hurts Self, and Withdrawn Behavior. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the only variable that independently predicted long-duration restraint was the severity rating of Hurts Self. The implications of these data for the management of restraint are discussed.