Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control Affect Management of Aggression by Mental Health Nurses

Abstract

The safe and effective management of aggression has become an increasingly critical skill for mental health nurses, particularly those working in acute inpatient settings. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the psychological constructs of self-efficacy and locus of control are closely related to work performance in a variety of occupations. By drawing upon literature published in the past 15 years, this paper highlights this evidence and draws attention to the relationship between self-efficacy and locus of control. The central argument of the paper is that there may be direct relationships among mental health nurses" self-efficacy, their degree of internality or externality in relation to locus of control, and their ability to safely and effectively manage aggressive incidents. We argue the need to further investigate these relationships and discover whether these variables can be modified through professional development activities.

Closing an Open Psychiatric Ward: Organizational Change and Its Effect on Staff Uncertainty, Self-Efficacy, and Professional Functioning

“…In psychiatry, Dunn et al. () argue for a direct relation between mental nurses' self‐efficacy and their ability to effectively manage aggression. Similarly, self‐efficacy is one of the factors which improve physicians' performance (Overeem et al., ).…”

“…Lee and Ko (2010) and Manojlovich (2005) both report that improved self-efficacy may improve nursing performance. In psychiatry, Dunn et al (2007) argue for a direct relation between mental nurses' selfefficacy and their ability to effectively manage aggression. Similarly, self-efficacy is one of the factors which improve physicians' performance (Overeem et al, 2009).…”

“…Self‐efficacy is also one of the factors that influence improvement in physicians' practice after revalidation programs (Overeem et al., ). In psychiatry, Dunn, Elsom, and Cross () claim a possible direct relation between mental nurses' self‐efficacy and their ability to manage aggressive incidents. The authors of the present study have found no studies on the impact of self‐efficacy on the behavior or functioning of psychiatric staff, neither in general nor in the particular context of organizational change.…”

The attributes of successful de‐escalation and restraint teams

“…) and that D‐E&R teams ability to manage inpatient violence improves with increased self‐efficiency of its members (Dunn et al . ). It can be concluded that research has shown significant relations between these factors, but little is known about the attributes that characterize self‐efficient D‐E&R teams.…”

Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of Confidence in Managing Patient Aggression Scale on de‐escalating behaviour

“…First, the confidence in the ability to work with aggressive patients is considered a valuable outcome (Martin & Daffern 2006). Second, with regard to Bandura's research related to the impact of self-efficacy belief on performance (Dunn et al 2007), the Confidence in Managing Patient Aggression Scale may be a predictor of performance results, and therefore DABS would be dispensable. However, we do not have enough evidence that Thackrey's instrument really predicts performance in managing patient aggression.…”