Situations of Agitation and Violence: the Reality in an Acute Inpatient Ward

Authors

  • Fátima Honrado Ferreira Serviço de Psiquiatria; Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca EPE
  • Pedro Florido Serviço de Psiquiatria; Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca EPE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25752/psi.3267

Abstract

Although aggressiveness/violence is present in all individuals and societies, it may have different manifestations. Even though, on one hand, it is considered innate to Man, on the other it is viewed as a social phenomenon with a cultural, social and historical frames. Violent behaviour in a psychiatric inpatient ward cannot, and should no,t be solely at-tributed to factors that are directly linked to the patient; there is a set of factors that may contribute to a hostile environment within the inpatient ward. The environment in the ward as well as the role of the mental health care professionals, and in particular the role of the nurse, should be taken into account.

Published

2011-12-05

Issue

Section

Proceedings