Employee Attitudes Toward Aggression in Persons with Dementia: Readiness for Wider Adoption of Person ‐Centered Frameworks

This study examined attitudes toward aggression among nursing and non‐nursing employees to address gaps in existing research and assess readiness for wider adoption of person‐centered frameworks. Method: The Management of Aggression in People with Dementia Attitude Questionnaire was used to survey attitudes of employees in Michigan‐based nursing homes. Results: Overall, employees preferred person‐centered over standard approaches. Job title was a significant predictor of paradigm support. Frontline employees were found to support person‐centered attitudes the least. Wide‐ranging responses were noted within employee groups. Discussion: Job title may influence the degree to which an employee supports and utilizes person‐centered approaches. Employees with the most contact with persons with dementia may be the least likely to implement person‐centered approaches. In contrast to prior studies, years of experience was not a significant predictor of attitude toward aggressive behavior. Wide‐ranging responses indicate that employee attitudes are varied and complex. Implications: Person‐centered approaches should be trained within care areas rather than individual employee groups. Programs should be interdisciplinary and seek to establish a shared understanding of person‐centered beliefs and values.
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Source: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - January 10, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Vanessa Louise Burshnic, Natalie Douglas, Robert Michael Barker Tags: Original Article Source Type: research