More than zero tolerance? Burnout and tolerance for patient aggression amongst mental health nurses in China and the UK.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to examine attitudes toward patient aggressive behaviour amongst mental health nurses in China and the UK and the relationship between these attitudes and burnout. The UK government policy of 'zero tolerance' of patient aggression may conflict with practitioner attitudes and could potentially increase the risk of aggression occurring.

METHOD

Two surveys of mental health nurses were conducted, one in the People's Republic of China and one in the UK using the Perceptions of Aggression Scale (POAS). The UK sample also completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

RESULTS

Some nurses in both groups agreed that patient aggression could sometimes have positive benefits. A sense of personal accomplishment at work (MBI) was significantly associated with a tendency to endorse positive statements about aggression.

DISCUSSION

Nurses seem to have a complex set of attitudes toward this issue that do not simply equate with 'zero tolerance'.