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Psychological framework to understand interpersonal violence by forensic patients with psychosis: commentary, Huang & Wei

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2024

Mei-Ling Huang
Affiliation:
Nursing Department, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Republic of China Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
Lien-Chung Wei*
Affiliation:
Department of Addiction Psychiatry, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, Republic of China Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
*
Correspondence: Lien-Chung Wei. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Type
Commentary
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

Lambe et al's paperReference Lambe, Cooper, Fazel and Freeman1 in the BJPsych provides a profound insight into the psychological underpinnings of violence in psychosis, contributing significantly to our understanding and management of such behaviours in clinical settings. In our work in Taoyuan Psychiatric Center in Taiwan, we have had first-hand experience dealing with patients exhibiting violent behaviour due to psychosis. We appreciate the effort to delineate a seven-factor model elucidating the complex interplay of learned behaviour, sensitivities to disrespect, threats, unfairness and the escape from psychotic experiences leading to violence.

Our experience at Taoyuan Psychiatric Center, particularly through the application of team resource management (TRM) to mitigate incidents of violence against psychiatric healthcare staff by patients,Reference Huang, Xie and Dai2 aligns with several aspects highlighted in Lambe et al's study. Our approach, focused on enhancing team coordination, leadership, situation monitoring, mutual support and communication, echoes the importance of a multifaceted strategy in managing violence in psychiatric settings. The incorporation of TRM led to a notable reduction in incidents of physical aggression towards staff, emphasising the potential of team-based interventions in enhancing patient and staff safety.Reference Huang, Xie and Dai2

However, our findings also underscore the critical role of systemic and organisational measures in addressing violence. Although individual psychological processes are undeniably crucial, our interventions demonstrated that structured team-based strategies and organisational support play a pivotal role in effectively managing and preventing violence. It suggests that interventions to reduce violence in psychiatric settings may benefit from a dual approach that addresses both individual psychological factors and systemic, team-based and organisational strategies.

Furthermore, our experience highlighted the importance of continuous training, situational drills and the development of a common language for team communication in crisis situations. These elements were instrumental in fostering a cohesive and responsive team environment, which, as suggested by the findings of Lambe et al, could be essential in managing violence precipitated by psychosis.

In conclusion, although we commend Lambe et al for their valuable contribution to understanding the psychological framework of violence in forensic patients with psychosis, we advocate for a broader perspective that also encompasses systemic, organisational and team-based strategies. Integrating such multidimensional approaches could enhance our ability to manage and prevent violence in psychiatric settings, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals.

Data availability

Data availability is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Author contributions

M.-L.H. contributed to the conception and design of the study, facilitated data collection and was instrumental in revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. L.-C.W. was responsible for drafting the manuscript, analysing and interpreting the data and integrating the team's findings into the broader context of existing literature. Both authors contributed equally to the review and editing of the manuscript and have approved the final version to be published. Both authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Declaration of AI assistance

In preparing this manuscript, L.-C.W. used Microsoft Copilot from Office 365 for language editing and proofreading. This service, powered by Azure OpenAI, helped him draft and refine the manuscript, ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity. Copilot's suggestions for text variations and rewrites significantly aided in conveying research findings effectively. He personally reviewed and finalised all content, maintaining full responsibility for its publication.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Declaration of interest

None.

References

Lambe, S, Cooper, K, Fazel, S, Freeman, D. Psychological framework to understand interpersonal violence by forensic patients with psychosis. Br J Psychiatry 2024; 224: 4754.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huang, M-L, Xie, Y-P, Dai, C-H. Applying team resource management to reduce incidences of attacks against of psychiatric health staff by patients. J Healthcare Qual 2015; 9(6): 3540.Google Scholar
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