Differences between staff groups in perception of risk assessment and risk management of inappropriate sexual behaviour in patients with traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT

This research explored staff perceptions of risk assessment and management of inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) displayed in patients following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The primary focus was to determine differences in perceptions between qualified (N = 40) and direct care staff (N = 47). Vignettes depicting ISB displayed by a male following a TBI were rated. The vignettes varied in behaviour (intimate versus non-contact) and age of the victim (child versus adult). Ratings for causal explanations (poor management, attention seeking, negative emotion and education), attributions (need for action and increase awareness) and emotions were analysed alongside risk assessment and management variables. Intimate contact ISB and ISB directed towards a child were perceived to be more serious and in need of intervention. Direct care staff perceived ISB to be due to sexual motivations, poor emotion control and to seek attention. They elicited greater negative emotions and based their judgements of risk on seriousness. On the other hand, qualified staff were more concerned about implementing interventions based on the risk of recurrence. Differences between staff groups could cause conflict regarding the assessment and management of ISB in TBI. Training to increase awareness of the behaviour could minimise differences and produce greater cohesion within clinical practise.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Inappropriate sexual behaviour
• Risk assessment
• Risk management

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express gratitude to those within the Neurorehabilitation service where this project was conducted; to those who gave approval for this work and to those who participated. In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I was an employee of the organisation where this research was conducted. No financial or business gain, to either party, was obtained from this exploratory piece. I have disclosed those issues fully to Taylor & Francis.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Christine Norman http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3317-8545