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Contending with "problem behaviors" in the nursing home
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4455 E 12th Avenue, A011-13, Denver, CO 80220, USA. lori.jervis@uchsc.edu
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
|March 6, 2002
Summary
Nursing home staff often lack mental health training to manage challenging resident behaviors. This study examines staff strategies and obstacles in behavior management within a facility for psychiatrically disabled individuals.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Challenging resident behaviors are common in U.S. nursing homes.
- Staff frequently lack specialized training in mental health and behavior management.
- Nursing homes serve diverse populations, including those with psychiatric disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how nursing home staff conceptualize and manage difficult resident behaviors.
- To investigate formal and informal strategies employed by staff.
- To identify internal and external obstacles to effective behavior management.
Main Methods:
- Ethnographic research methodology.
- Qualitative data collection through observation and interviews.
- Focus on a U.S. nursing home with a predominantly psychiatrically disabled clientele.
Main Results:
- Staff developed various formal and informal strategies to address challenging behaviors.
- Internal factors (e.g., staff attitudes, training gaps) and external factors (e.g., resource limitations) hindered effective management.
- Conceptualizations of behavior varied among staff, influencing their approaches.
Conclusions:
- Improved training in mental health and behavior management is crucial for nursing home staff.
- Addressing systemic obstacles is necessary for enhancing care quality and resident well-being.
- Understanding staff perspectives is key to developing effective interventions for challenging behaviors.