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Facing Physical Violence

NCJ Number
124371
Author(s)
G M Breakwell
Date Published
1989
Length
108 pages
Annotation
This discussion of violence against mental health workers, teachers, nurses, doctors, and others by their clients, patients, or pupils provides practical guidelines on recognizing the situations in which violence is likely, predicting and avoiding threatening situations, and dealing with attacks.
Abstract
The analysis notes that violence is a complex, multicausal issue, in which the practitioner can be implicated. Thus professionals must be aware of their own attitudes, statements, and behaviors that may invite others to be violent and should learn behaviors for working effectively with the powerful emotions experienced by their clients. By learning these skills, they can avoid violence in most cases. The discussion also explains the typical psychological reactions that occur after an attack and suggests guidelines for managers for use in training, providing staff support, and developing collaborative efforts to prevent and address violence. Checklists, self-help exercises, index, 25 references, and list of 11 further readings.