BMJ Open. 2025 Nov 5;15(11):e102989. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102989.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Over 100 000 service users are admitted to acute mental health wards annually, many involuntarily. Wards are under incredible pressure due to high bed occupancy rates and staff shortages. In a recent survey, over 80% of mental health nurses reported experiencing aggression and violence within their role. National and international policy dictates that mental health ward staff manage incidents of aggression and violence using communication, known as de-escalation. However, de-escalation practice is variable, and there is little empirical evidence to underpin training. As such, there is still a reliance on more restrictive practices, including seclusion and physical restraint.
AIM: The aim of this study is to identify the communication and organisational factors that characterise effective management of service users’ behaviour and distress in acute adult inpatient mental health wards, reducing the reliance on more restrictive practices (eg, seclusion and restraint).
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This observational study will be conducted on mental health wards in England. It will be comprised of three work packages (WPs).A microanalysis of communication during de-escalation incidents from Body Worn Camera footage on wards (n=64), to identify staff communication practices that lead to effective management of service users’ distress.Ethnographic observations of ward routine practice, alongside interviews and questionnaires with staff and service users, to examine how challenging behaviour is anticipated, planned for and responded to on wards, and staff experiences and perceptions of this process.Triangulation of the findings from WPs 1 and 2 to examine the relationship between approaches to aggression management and staff communication, exploring the similarities and differences within and between wards.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for sites in England has been granted by the Wales Research Ethics Committee 3, REF 22/WA/0066. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences and service user and clinical networks.
PMID:41198198 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-102989
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