The Relationship between Training and the Experience of Aggression in the Workplace in Residential Care Staff Working in Learning Disability Services

The present study used a questionnaire to examine the following in 50 social care staff: the experience of workplace aggression in staff supporting individuals with a learning disability, the extent to which staff had received training in the prevention and management of aggressive behaviour and the relationship between training and staff confidence in dealing with aggression. The majority of staff were found to have experienced assault in the course of their work. Despite this, less than half had received training in the prevention and management of aggression. Such training seemed to impact differently on males and females, with trained males feeling confident in managing aggression, and untrained males feeling anxious. In contrast, the majority of females reported feelings of anxiety regardless of previous training. Staff reported strategies for dealing with aggression which mainly involved withdrawal of themselves and others rather than physical interventions. However, there was a neglect of longer-term strategies for dealing with aggression. Implications for practice are discussed.