Staff Beliefs Toward Self-Injurious Behavior in Patients

ABSTRACT Staff beliefs toward patient self-harm in secure forensic services are explored, capturing nurses and other clinical staff from four units one National Health Service trust, comprising high through low learning disability. One hundred fifty-five respondents took part (overall completion rate: 61%). The Theory-Driven Measure of Self-Injurious Behavior the Suicide Competency Assessment Form were completed. It was predicted that higher competency increased levels training would associate with self-harm. Beliefs differed accordance to location; perceiving self-injurious behavior as planned within control endorsed more high-security settings by nurses, security also likely endorse perception patients engaging such behaviors able cope felt valued. Competence experience identified factors relevance. study offers suggestions for future research, including a focus on environment, exploring opposed negative attitudes, proposing concept professional exposure an important variable.