A Co-operative Inquiry Into Generating, Describing, and Transforming Knowledge About De-escalation Practices in Mental Health Settings

Abstract

De-escalation is concerned with managing violent behaviour without resorting to coercive measures. Co-operative Inquiry provided the conceptual basis for generating knowledge regarding de-escalation practices in acute mental health care settings. The research included service users and staff members as co-researchers and knowledge was generated in dynamic research cycles around an extended epistemology of knowing: experiential, presentational, propositional, and practical. Through this process, co-researchers became de-escalation learners, implementing de-escalation practices while transforming violence management. Neighbouring mental health communities’ involvement strengthened the transformation process and assisted in validating the research results.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the co-researchers Stella Maria Bonde, Lena Lind Rasmussen, Majbritt Granhøj Jørgensen, Maria Kruse Knudsen, Gitte Ordell Skovbjerg, Susie Schouw Petersen, Tina Elisabeth Andersen Truelsen.

Declaration of Interest

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.