Is the amount of exposure to aggressive challenging behaviour related to staff work-related well-being in intellectual disability services? Evidence from a clustered research design. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flynn, Samantha; Hastings, Richard P.; Gillespie, David; McNamara, Rachel; Randell, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 81(2018)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Intellectual disability -- Challenging behaviour -- Work stress -- Well-being -- Social care staff -- Burnout; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.04.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Highlights: There was little relationship between exposure to aggressive CB and staff well-being. Clustering was evident for emotional exhaustion and positive work motivation. Comparisons between staff who work in settings with and without aggressive CB are needed. Abstract: Background: Previous research has demonstrated an association between aggressive challenging behaviour (CB) and reductions in work-related well-being for intellectual disability (ID) support staff. Much of this research has used subjective measures of CB. Aims: To examine whether exposure to aggressive CB is associated with reduced work-related well-being in staff working in ID residential settings across the UK. Methods and procedure: A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken as part of a randomised trial; 186 staff from 100 settings completed questionnaires on their CB self-efficacy, empathy, positive work motivation, and burnout. Objective measures of aggressive CB in the preceding 16 weeks were collected from each setting. Outcomes and results: There was little association between staff exposure to aggressive CB and work-related well-being. Clustering effects were found for emotional exhaustion and positive work motivation, suggesting these variables are more likely to be influenced by the environment in which staff work. Conclusions and implications: The level of clustering may be key to understanding how to support staff working in ID residential settings, and should be explored further. Longitudinal data, and studies including a comparison of staff working in ID services without aggressive CB exposure are needed to fully understand any association between aggressive CB and staff well-being.