Factors that influence the competency of nursing staff in managing aggressive behaviour in mentally ill patients at a Mental Health Care Centre, Khomas region, Namibia
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Mental illness is amongst the leading causes of disabilities and can cause disturbances
in emotional, cognitive and behavioural functioning of mentally ill patients. Caring for
mentally ill patients and managing their aggressive behaviour is done by mental health
nurses and therefore, they should have certain competencies to competently manage
aggressiOn.
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the competency
of nursing staff in managing aggressive behaviour displayed by mentally ill patients at
a select mental health care centre, Windhoek, Namibia.
A convergent parallel mixed method design was applied; the quantitative study
employed a convenience sampling method to engage all 61 registered and enrolled
nurses to identify and describe the factors influencing their competency in managing
aggressive behaviour in mentally ill patients and the qualitative study; a purposive
sampling method to select 17 nursing staff to explore their perceptions regarding their
competency in managing aggressive behaviour in mentally ill patients. Quantitative
data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed with Statistical
Package for Social Science, Version 24, from which descriptive statistics were
obtained. Qualitative data was collected through three focus group discussions,
verbatim transcribed, organized into themes and categories according to Tesch 's
descriptive method of open coding. Trustworthiness was ensured in accordance with
the principles of credibility, dependability, confmnability and transferability. Field
notes were kept and a literature control was done for the purpose of triangulation.
Quantitative and qualitative data results revealed that personal factors such as
theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and external factors including experience and
role modelling influenced nursing competency in managing aggressive patients.
Moreover, this study concluded that the attitudes of the nursing staff during the
management of aggression affected their development of competency either positively
or negatively.
This study recommended that debriefing sessions, training on the management of
aggression, a compulsory induction and orientation program should be favourably
considered for implementation to ensure effective management of aggressive patients
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment Of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing Science
Keywords
Mental illness, Nursing staff, Mental health care centre, Khomas region, Namibia, University of Namibia