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The cycle of acceptance: mental health professionals’ experience of workplace violence in a UK community mental health team

The cycle of acceptance: mental health professionals’ experience of workplace violence in a UK... Violence and aggression against mental health professionals is a global concern with well-documented consequences. In the UK, mental health care is increasingly delivered in the community, yet little research has explored practitioner experiences of workplace violence (WPV) outside of inpatient settings. This study aimed to explore how mental health professionals in a UK community mental health team (CMHT) perceive, experience and cope with WPV.Design/methodology/approachFace-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten multidisciplinary professionals based in a CMHT in a UK city. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.FindingsThree interconnected themes emerged. WPV was accepted as inevitable: participants carried on working despite its impact, and feeling unheard by management they gave up on change, perpetuating the perceived inevitability of WPV. Peer support and organisational resources like debriefing, counselling and occupational health improved coping. Stigma and ideas of professional responsibility were barriers to access.Originality/valueTo mitigate against the negative consequences of WPV, CMHTs could offer peer support initiatives, improve communication and availability of organisational resources and involve staff in post-incident decision-making. Recommendations are made to shift the attitude of acceptance of WPV and encourage help-seeking. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Mental Health Review Journal Emerald Publishing

The cycle of acceptance: mental health professionals’ experience of workplace violence in a UK community mental health team

Parr, Helen; Cetrano, Gaia
Mental Health Review Journal , Volume 29 (3): 17 – Sep 17, 2024
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References (110)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1361-9322
eISSN
1361-9322
DOI
10.1108/mhrj-04-2023-0020
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Violence and aggression against mental health professionals is a global concern with well-documented consequences. In the UK, mental health care is increasingly delivered in the community, yet little research has explored practitioner experiences of workplace violence (WPV) outside of inpatient settings. This study aimed to explore how mental health professionals in a UK community mental health team (CMHT) perceive, experience and cope with WPV.Design/methodology/approachFace-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten multidisciplinary professionals based in a CMHT in a UK city. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.FindingsThree interconnected themes emerged. WPV was accepted as inevitable: participants carried on working despite its impact, and feeling unheard by management they gave up on change, perpetuating the perceived inevitability of WPV. Peer support and organisational resources like debriefing, counselling and occupational health improved coping. Stigma and ideas of professional responsibility were barriers to access.Originality/valueTo mitigate against the negative consequences of WPV, CMHTs could offer peer support initiatives, improve communication and availability of organisational resources and involve staff in post-incident decision-making. Recommendations are made to shift the attitude of acceptance of WPV and encourage help-seeking.

Journal

Mental Health Review Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Sep 17, 2024

Keywords: Workplace violence; Aggression; Community mental health services; Peer support

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