Congruence between aggressive behavior and type of intervention as rated by nursing personnel

In this pilot study, nursing staff matched three levels of intervention (verbal, chemical, and physical) with 84 aggressive behaviors. It was a preliminary step in the development of a theoretical framework regarding how nurses select interventions for aggressive patients. Specifically, it was an attempt to address the following: Do nurses intervene with aggressive behaviors based on learned stereotypes or do nurses perceive behavior as aggressive because there is consistency in the behavior and level of aggression? All 442 members of the nursing staff were invited to participate in the study; and 211 (48%) responded. Factor analyses were conducted on responses to the behaviors of subjects matched with each intervention. The same three factors were identified for verbal and chemical intervention: behaviors that are precursors to an actual aggressive episode, aggressive behaviors directed inwardly, and aggressive behaviors directed outwardly. The last two behaviors were also identified for physical intervention. The results suggest that the nursing staff did differentiate among behaviors reflecting differing levels of aggression and that they were not responding in a stereotypical manner.