PTSD Following Patient Assaults on Mental Health Staff
Author Information
Author(s): Dirk Richter, Klaus Berger
Primary Institution: Institute of Sociology, University of Muenster
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among staff members who have been assaulted by patients in mental health institutions?
Conclusion
A small minority of assaulted employees suffer from PTSD for several months after a patient assault.
Supporting Evidence
- 8 participants (17%) met criteria for PTSD diagnosis at baseline.
- PTSD diagnosis decreased from 6 to 3 (9%) and 4 (11%) at follow-ups.
- Participants with severe physical damage had the highest PTSD scores.
Takeaway
Some workers in mental health hospitals can feel very sad and scared for a long time after being hurt by a patient.
Methodology
Staff members were interviewed three times over six months using PTSD assessment tools after being assaulted by patients.
Potential Biases
Non-participation may have been influenced by fear of stigma or PTSD symptoms, potentially skewing results.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and high potential for selection bias due to non-participation.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was 38 years, with 23 women and 70% being nurses.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p = 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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