Aggressive behaviors among demented nursing home residents in Japan

This study investigates the frequency of aggressive behaviors in a sample of elderly nursing home residents with dementia in Japan. Behavioral data were collected on 391 residents using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). Data were also gathered on residents' age, sex, and ability to perform self-care. Another scale was used to code the degree of resistance that each resident manifested during bathing, toileting, dressing and eating. In addition, qualitative data were collected from caregivers regarding their main caregiving problems with dementia residents. Findings show that 45.4% of the sample manifested aggressive behavior during the 2-week study period. Men were significantly more likely to manifest physically aggressive behavior, but there was no gender difference for verbal aggression. Age had no relationship to aggressive behavior. Residents who were most dependent in self-care had significantly higher frequencies of aggressive behaviors. Caregivers reported that most aggressive behavior took place during personal care. The majority of caregivers identified verbal agitation rather than physical aggression as their main caregiving problem. This study represents the first time that the CMAI has been translated and used in Japan and the first time empirical data has been collected on the behavior of dementia patients in Japanese nursing homes.