Original Research

A model to facilitate the mental health of psychiatric nurses in a forensic unit to manage mental health care users’ hostile behaviour constructively

Tebogo Tema, Marie Poggenpoel, Chris Myburgh
Curationis | Vol 41, No 1 | a1844 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v41i1.1844 | © 2018 Tebogo Tema, Marie Poggenpoel, Chris Myburgh | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 19 July 2017 | Published: 13 June 2018

About the author(s)

Tebogo Tema, Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Marie Poggenpoel, Department of Nursing, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Chris Myburgh, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Hostile behaviour by mental health care users (MHCUs) is prevalent in forensic units in South Africa, and this causes service providers distress and burnout. Psychiatric nurses (PNs) find it difficult to render quality care to MHCUs who are threatening them and also challenging their authority in a forensic unit. Forensic mental health care practitioners may be challenged to engage authentically with MHCUs who constitute a risk to their personal safety or who have committed acts the practitioner finds morally disturbing. There is a need to facilitate the mental health of PNs in a forensic unit to manage hostile behaviour constructively.

Objective: The objective of this article is to describe the process that was followed in developing, implementing and evaluating a model that could be used as a framework of reference to facilitate the mental health of PNs in a forensic unit to manage hostile behaviour constructively.

Method: A theory-generative, qualitative, exploratory descriptive and contextual study design was used to develop the model. The steps of the process entailed the identification of the central concept, the definition of the central concept and other essential criteria and the classification of the central and related concepts. The model was then described and evaluated.

Results: The central concept was identified as the ‘facilitation of empowerment of PNs to manage hostility in a constructive manner’, defined, classified and then described and evaluated.

Conclusion: The model as framework of reference could assist PNs in managing hostility in a forensic unit constructively.


Keywords

Model; Facilitate; Mental Health; Psychiatric Nurses; Forensic; Hostile Behaviour; Manage

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Crossref Citations

1. Surface acting is related to emotional exhaustion among staff members working in high secure forensic psychiatric care
Meike G. de Vries, Robbert-Jan Verkes, Berend H. Bulten
The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology  vol: 33  issue: 3  first page: 389  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1080/14789949.2022.2055619