Ireland J L, Sebalo I, McNeill K, Murphy K, Brewer G, Ireland C A, Chu S, Lewis M, Greenwood L, Nally T
University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK.
Heliyon. 2019 Mar 25;5(3):e01400. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01400. eCollection 2019 Mar.
Three preliminary and linked studies investigate the impact of making alterations to factors considered relevant to engaging in and experiencing intra-group aggression (bullying) among adult male patients detained in a single secure forensic hospital. Study one (n = 44) outlines the institutional factors, attitudes towards bullying and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of engaging in bullying and/or being victimised. Study two (n = 53 patients and 167 staff) assesses the effect of three variations of intervention that aimed to reduce intra-group aggression through direct alteration of the physical and psychosocial environment, using data from both patients and staff. Study three (n = 414) looks at the effects of two variations of the intervention used in study two, which offered patients' participation in individual and communal activities. It was predicted that changes to the physical and social environment would produce a reduction in the factors shown to predict intra-group aggression. Attitudes supportive of bullying and the presence of social hierarchies each increased the likelihood of engaging in bullying. Indirect changes to the social environment on the wards had more positive effects than those incorporating direct alterations to the physical and social environment. The differences in effectiveness of the two approaches are discussed in relation to the established predictors of intra-group aggression. The research concludes by noting the preliminary nature of the research and outlining potential directions for future research and intervention.
三项初步且相互关联的研究调查了对被关押在一家安全法医医院的成年男性患者中与群体内攻击行为（欺凌）相关因素进行改变的影响。研究一（n = 44）概述了增加欺凌行为发生可能性和/或成为受害者的制度因素、对欺凌的态度以及环境因素。研究二（n = 53名患者和167名工作人员）使用来自患者和工作人员的数据，评估了旨在通过直接改变物理和社会心理环境来减少群体内攻击行为的三种干预方式的效果。研究三（n = 414）考察了研究二中使用的两种干预方式的效果，这两种干预方式让患者参与个人和集体活动。预计对物理和社会环境的改变将减少那些被证明可预测群体内攻击行为的因素。支持欺凌的态度和社会等级制度的存在都增加了欺凌行为发生的可能性。病房社会环境的间接改变比那些对物理和社会环境进行直接改变的方式产生了更积极的效果。两种方法效果的差异结合已确定的群体内攻击行为预测因素进行了讨论。研究最后指出了研究的初步性质，并概述了未来研究和干预的潜在方向。
