Exploring Individual Factors Associated with Critical Incidents in a Secure Psychiatric Setting: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study explored individual factors associated with critical incidents that required professional intervention. Critical incidents were defined as holding someone against their will (i.e., hostage-taking), rooftop demonstrations and isolating oneself from others (i.e., barricades). Participants were from a high secure psychiatric hospital. All had a known history of having engaged in critical incidents. They were compared with a matched sample from the same hospital with no such history. Thirty-four patients were recruited, 16 in the study group and 18 in the comparison group. Extraversion, agreeableness and an impulsive/careless problem-solving style were noted in those who perpetrated critical incidents. Personality and problem solving were variables distinguishing the perpetrators of critical incidents. Future research exploring in more detail the individual factors associated with involvement in critical incidents is suggested.

Key words:

• aggression motivation
• barricades
• critical incidents
• hostage-taking
• problem solving
• psychiatric patients

Acknowledgements

Thanks are extended to Dr Mary Knowles for providing suggestions to the earlier manuscript.