Therapeutic holding in child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment

Abstract

The present study describes therapeutic holding to control aggressive and violent behaviour in child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment and to create a therapeutic relationship between the child and the holding adult. The number of patients was 19, and the total number of holding sessions was 50 during the 6-month study period. Nine patients had at least one therapeutic holding during the study period. The mean duration of therapeutic holding was 39 min. The patients regained behavioural control after a mean of 21 min. High total scores on the Child Behaviour Checklist and externalizing scores and a DSM-HI-R diagnosis of Conduct Disorder were associated with the use of therapeutic holding. The commonest primary reason for holding was aggression towards the staff.