Self-destructive behavior on an inpatient ward

Abstract

Suicidal and self-destructive behavior on a psychiatric inpatient service are said to be related to the degree of staff demoralization and dissension. Staff factors that may permit or encourage self-destructive acts include poor communications, staff disagreements, scapegoating of patients, poor staff judgment, staff self-preoccupation, and reversal of staff-patient roles. However, it is also possible that a major contributory factor is not individual patient or staff psychopathology, but rather the destruction of the underlying traditions and values of the ward which occurs at times of major change. The thesis is presented that the ritualization of ward values, when operative, provides a coherent world-view which renders the therapeutic activities, and life itself, meaningful, and that such ritualization can provide a framework of stability in times of critical staff turnover. Without such tradition and ritualization, however, therapeutic activities become hollow and meaningless, and fail to provide self-destructive patients a reason to view their life more positively.