[Psychological consequences of patient assaults on mental health staff. Prospective and retrospective data]

Psychological consequences of patient assaults on staff members have rarely been examined with instruments established for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. In prior studies, self-defined questionnaires and outcomes were used instead.

We conducted two studies, one prospective study with two follow-ups and one retrospective. Forty-six and 88 mental health care workers were interviewed, respectively, for psychological consequences after a patient assault. Validated instruments from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research were used (PCL-C, IES-R).

In the first weeks following patient assault, 17% of respondents of the prospective study fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PTSD according to DSM-IV. After further 2 and 6 months in the respective studies, the PTSD rates had decreased to 11%. In the retrospective study 3% of respondents still had a PTSD diagnosis on average 1.5 years after the assault.

Patient assaults can cause PTSD in staff members of mental health institutions. Institutions need to organise adequate care for their staff affected by assault.