[Psychological consequences of patient assaults on mental health staff. Prospective and retrospective data]

Abstract

Background: Psychological consequences of patient assaults on staff members have rarely been examined with instruments established for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research. In prior studies, self-defined questionnaires and outcomes were used instead.

Methods: We conducted two studies, one prospective study with two follow-ups and one retrospective. Forty-six and 88 mental health care workers were interviewed, respectively, for psychological consequences after a patient assault. Validated instruments from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research were used (PCL-C, IES-R).

Results: In the first weeks following patient assault, 17% of respondents of the prospective study fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PTSD according to DSM-IV. After further 2 and 6 months in the respective studies, the PTSD rates had decreased to 11%. In the retrospective study 3% of respondents still had a PTSD diagnosis on average 1.5 years after the assault.

Conclusions: Patient assaults can cause PTSD in staff members of mental health institutions. Institutions need to organise adequate care for their staff affected by assault.