ABSTRACT
This chapter explores anger, aggression and violence in the workplace. Adopting a reflective practice, personal understandings of aggression are explored in the context of the challenges that face mental health professionals working in hospital settings. Nursing interventions that focus on prevention, de-escalation and management are discussed, using case studies and reflective exercises. The chapter aims to develop the reader’s personal awareness of aggression and violence by:
• exploring personal understandings of anger and frustration;
• defining and differentiating between anger, aggression and violence;
• increasing knowledge of the dynamics of aggression; • describing physical and physiological approaches to
anger and aggression; • identifying predisposing factors to the expression of
anger and aggression; • discussing different nursing interventions for clients
exhibiting aggression; • identifying ways of reducing the potential for aggres-
sion and violence in the workplace.
