Research article summary (published 30 Jul 1990):

Rating management difficulty: a study into the prevalence and severity of difficult behaviour displayed by residents in a large residential hospital for the mentally handicapped.

Full Abstract

This survey assessed the prevalence and severity of difficult behaviour displayed by residents in a residential hospital for the mentally handicapped as reported by the direct-care staff. Of the hospital residents, 30.2% were reported as having at least one problematic behaviour. The men were generally more difficult than the women and those on the disturbed wards more difficult than those on residential wards. Men and women exhibited the same types of behaviours in both disturbed and residential wards. However, withdrawn/uncooperative behaviour, stealing and inappropriate sexual behaviour were more prevalent on disturbed wards; withdrawn and inappropriate sexual behaviour being exhibited by more men than women on disturbed wards. The factors most likely associated with being on a disturbed ward were sex and age; young men presenting with most management difficulty. Approximately 12% of the hospital population were defined as presenting with a 'severe' management difficulty. Difficult behaviour is the main reason for admission to and remaining in hospital. The concept of management difficulty and the implications on service provision are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Tutton, C (C); Wynne-Willson, S (S); Piachaud, J (J);

Affiliation: St Mary's Hospital, London, England.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of mental deficiency research (J Ment Defic Res), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1990-Aug; vol 34 ( Pt 4) (issue ) : pp 325-39

Dates: Created 1990/10/16; Completed 1990/10/16; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 2398489, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Aggression - psychology Dangerous Behavior Female Humans

Humans Male Mental Retardation - diagnosis; psychology Middle Aged Pilot Projects Psychiatric Department, Hospital Social Behavior Disorders - diagnosis; psychology Social Environment

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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