“A Phenomenological Study: The Experience of Mental Health Nurse in Managing Violent Behaviour of Psychiatric Patient”

Patient violence against health care personnel at work is a widespread global concern, particularly in the fields of mental health care. The present study would add on to the existing data on the managing violent behaviour experience by the nurse in psychiatric ward.

What are the lived experiences of nurses, in managing violent behaviour of psychiatric patients?

Qualitative research approach was adopted. The phenomenological approach was selected as it provides the nurses with the opportunity to give a detailed account of the ‘lived experiences’ from their perspective on violent behaviour of psychiatric patients. The samples size was 05 Nurses from Psychiatric Hospital of Pune city. A purposive sampling technique was used. The researcher collected the data regarding the lived experiences of nurses, who manage violent behaviour of psychiatric patients, through in-depth interviews. The quality of the data collected was significant and determined by addressing the authenticity (triangulation and member checking done) Dependability and transferability.

Themes that were emerged includes Divergent Selfcare, High expectations, Action in violence and Safety and Security.

Violent behaviour of psychiatric patients against nurses working in psychiatric hospitals is a serious consequence of nursing work in a mental health care setting. The anguish caused by the violent behaviour of patients on Nurses is manifested through a range of emotional reactions in nurses.