Factors Influencing Clinicians’ Attitudes about Aggression in Australian Acute Old Age Psychiatry Inpatient Units: A Cross Sectional Survey Design

Abstract

Patient aggression occurs in old age psychiatry and is problematic. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence clinicians’ attitudes toward aggression in old age psychiatry. Eighty-five individuals, comprising nurses (n = 75) and medical and allied health staff (n = 10), completed the questionnaire. The results show that gender, profession, and work experience do not affect attitudes toward aggression. A low score indicated agreement with an attitudinal statement. However, younger age, better higher level of completed education, and place of work increased the likelihood of participants endorsing the questionnaire's attitudinal statements about aggression. The findings suggest clinicians’ attitudes may affect the way they attempt to prevent and manage aggression.