A model for the facilitation of effective management of aggression experienced by Psychiatric Nurses from patients in a psychiatric institution

BACKGROUND: ‘The time I was hit nobody helped me. They (psychiatric nurses) just said: “you do not have to worry, you are not bleeding … in time you will see more”’. The core of the nursing profession is caring for those in need. However, when the psychiatric nurse (PN) is overwhelmed by aggression from the person cared for, the ideal of rendering quality patient care is compromised. There has to be a way to assist the PNs to manage aggression effectively in order to render quality patient care and improve PNs mental health. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to describe the process that was followed in developing, describing and evaluating a model that could be used as a framework of reference to facilitate the effective management of aggression as an integral part of the mental health of PNs. METHODS: A theory-generative, qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study design was used to develop the model. The central concept was derived from the Masters’ research ‘The lived experience of aggression and violence by PNs in a Gauteng psychiatric institution’. 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 conceptual framework was then described and evaluated. RESULTS: The central concept was identified and the ‘facilitation of effective self-management of aggression’ was described and evaluated. CONCLUSION: The conceptual framework may be able to assist PNs in managing aggression effectively, taking control of workplace environment.