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Wilkinson, W Beukes, Katrina 2025-06-09T13:26:46Z 2025-06-09T13:26:46Z 2021 http://hdl.handle.net/11070/4009 A thesis submitted in fulfilment Of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing Science 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 en University of Namibia Mental illness Nursing staff Mental health care centre Khomas region Namibia University of Namibia 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 Thesisopen.access