Exploring factors that influence nurses: judgements of violence risk in a female forensic population

Abstract

The study examined how nursing staff in a secure forensic unit make judgements about female patients' level of risk and whether a patient's lack of engagement in therapy was a salient factor. Results indicate that staff accounted for the following historical factors when making judgements: past aggression, substance misuse, symptoms of psychosis and personality disorder, and the following clinical factors: lack of insight, non‐compliance and lack of motivation. A positive therapeutic alliance between patient and key‐worker, high levels of self‐confidence in staff members, a supportive nursing team and an institution with good procedural security were perceived to be protective factors.

Citation

Allen, S. and Beech, A. (2010), "Exploring factors that influence nurses: judgements of violence risk in a female forensic population", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 4-14. https://doi.org/10.5042/bjfp.2010.0033